Morrisons has announced the first seven of its shops closing under plans to shut around 100 of its convenience stores in another hit to the UK high street.
The supermarket chain announced last month that its company-owned Daily chain of shops is expected to shut over the next few months, with hundreds of jobs affected.
The Morrisons Daily stores marked for closure are ‘the most challenged’ loss-makers, and all are former McColl’s outlets acquired by the firm back in 2022.
The chain hires around 95,000 people and has around 1,700 convenience shops and 500 supermarkets.
Morrisons is currently consulting affected staff, according to reports.
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Which Morrisons Daily stores are closing?
While the full list of 100 stores hasn’t been revealed, Morrisons has confirmed the first seven branches it is planning to close.
They include:
- Fairfax Avenue, Hull
- Esk Close, Guisborough
- Zetland Road, Loftus
- Stokesley High Street, Middlesbrough
- Queen Street, Redcar
- Middle Street, South Driffield
- Woodthorpe, York
A spokesperson for Morrisons confirmed the closures to Metro, adding that the ‘expansion of the company’s convenience business is “a core part” of Morrisons’ growth strategy.’
They said: ‘The performance of all company-owned stores across our convenience business is subject to continuous review.
‘This process has identified a number of stores, which were part of the McColl’s acquisition, whose performance has been challenged for a number of years and which are loss-making, despite remedial action.’
‘This situation has been exacerbated in more recent years by significant cost increases resulting from government policy choices,’ the spokesperson added.
‘Having completed the review, we are now proposing to take the tough but necessary decision to close a number of these stores over the next few months.’
‘The combination of the proposed closure of loss-making stores and the continued addition of attractive new franchise openings will enable us to concentrate on those stores which work best for customers.’
Morrisons has also shut cafes, florists and fresh food counters in the past year.
What other high street closures have there been?
Dozens of high street shops, restaurants, and banks were affected by closures last month.
Quiz Clothing fell into administration, while Poundstretcher warned it could be forced to file for administration.
Modella Capital suggested up to 150 former WHSmith shops could close under restructuring plans.
Restaurant chain Franco Manca also confirmed it would close 16 of its chains across the UK while its sister restaurant The Real Greek announced nine closures.
Around 200 Brewers Fayre and Beefeater restaurants, all operated by Premier Inn owner Whitbread, were announced to close.
Chains like GAME, The Original Factory Shop, Claire’s Accessories, and Poundland have also closed stores this year.
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