Hundreds at risk of redundancy as Morrisons closes cafes, meat counters and convenience stores
Roughly 365 jobs could be lost at Morrisons shops across Britain as cafes and in-store services are to close.Those hundreds of roles are at risk of redundancy, the supermarket chain said, as it is to close 52 cafes, all 18 market kitchens food-to-go sites, 17 convenience stores, 13 florists, 35 meat counters, 35 fish counters and four pharmacies.
Some staff working at these services will be redeployed elsewhere in the business, Morrisons said.Money blog: Price of a pint is about to hit big milestoneMorrisons did not say exactly when these closures were taking place but that the operations would be closed "over the next few months".
The cuts come as "costs of operations are significantly out of line with usage, volumes or the value that customers place on them", the supermarket chain said.Despite shuttering 52 of its cafes, Morrisons said this offering "has a bright future" in most locations. In 2021 there were 406 Morrisons cafes."A minority have specific local challenges and in those locations, regrettably, closure and re-allocation of the space is the only sensible option", Morrisons chief executive Rami Baitieh said.Where some cafes are closing, the supermarket said it planned to work with "third parties to provide a relevant specialist offer".
List of closuresThe cafes due to close are:Bradford, ThornburyPaisley, Falside RoadLondon, QueensburyPortsmouthNewcastle, Great ParkBanchory, North Deeside RoadFailsworth, Poplar StreetBlackburn, Railway RoadLeeds, Swinnow RoadLondon, Wood GreenKirkham, Poulton StreetLutterworth, Bitteswell RoadBirmingham, StirchleyLeeds, HorsforthLondon, ErithEast Sussex, CrowboroughBellshill, John StreetDumbarton, Glasgow RoadEast Kilbride, LindsayfieldEast Kilbride, StewartfieldGlasgow, NewlandsLargs, Irvine RoadTroon, Academy StreetWishaw, Kirk RoadNewcastle Upon Tyne, CowgateNorthampton, Kettering RoadBromsgrove, Buntsford Industrial ParkSolihull, Warwick RoadBrecon, Free StreetCaernarfon, North RoadIpswich, HadleighLondon, Hatch EndHigh Wycombe, Temple EndLeighton Buzzard, Lake StreetLondon, StratfordSidcup, Westwood LaneWelwyn Garden City, Black Fan RoadWarminster, Weymouth StreetOxted, Station YardReigate, Bell StreetBorehamwood, Stirling WayWeybridge, Monument HillBathgate, Linkston WayErskine, Bridgewater Shopping CentreGorleston, Blackwell RoadDeeside, Connah's QuayMansfield, Woodhouse CentreHalifax, EllandGloucester, Metz WayWatford, Ascot RoadLittlehampton, WickHelensburgh, Cardross Road
Morrisons daily convenience stores being shut are:Gorleston, Lowestoft RoadPeebles, Old TownShenfield, Hutton RoadPoole, Waterloo EstateTonbridge, Higham LaneRomsey, The CornmarketStewarton, Lainshaw StreetSelsdon Featherbed LaneHaxby VillageGreat Barr, Queslett RoadWhickham, Oakfield RoadWeston-super-Mare, WorleGoring-By-Sea, Strand ParadeWoking, Westfield Road
Wokingham, Peach StreetExeter, Sidwell StreetBath, Moorland RoadThe union representing Morrisons workers - the Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers (USDAW) - said it would be supporting its members.Darren Matthews, USDAW National Officer said: "Our priority is to keep as many employed in the business as possible."We welcome Morrisons' early indication that the majority of staff affected by the changes are expected to be deployed to roles elsewhere in the business."USDAW is also maintaining regular talks with the company on these proposals where we'll be able to raise concerns, challenge and ask serious questions about the company's business case."
