Morrisons has confirmed the locations of seven convenience stores that are set to close, offering the first detailed look at a broader plan that will see around 100 Morrisons Daily outlets shut across the UK. The affected stores are among those acquired through the retailer’s rescue of McColl’s in 2022.
The closures form part of an ongoing review of the supermarket’s convenience business. Morrisons says the stores identified for closure have struggled financially for several years and have remained loss-making despite efforts to improve performance.
Morrisons, which operates more than 2,200 stores across the UK, has not yet released a full list of the approximately 100 locations expected to close. The company says discussions with employees are still underway.
Seven Yorkshire-Area Stores Identified for Closure
The first confirmed closures are concentrated in North Yorkshire and the East Riding of Yorkshire. According to reports, the seven Morrisons Daily stores identified so far are:
- Woodthorpe, York
- Queen Street, Redcar
- Zetland Road, Loftus
- Esk Close, Guisborough
- High Street, Stokesley
- Fairfax Avenue, Hull
- Middle Street, South Driffield
According to Morrisons, the stores were part of the McColl’s acquisition completed in 2022. The retailer acquired numerous former McColl’s locations through a £190 million rescue deal and subsequently converted many of them into Morrisons Daily stores.
Reports note that an estimated 132 convenience stores were converted into Morrisons Daily outlets during 2024 as part of efforts to preserve those locations. The stores now earmarked for closure are understood to be among those whose performance has remained challenging.
A Morrisons spokesperson said the company would seek to reduce the impact of the closures on both customers and employees. “We will work hard to mitigate the impact on customers, continuing to serve them through other nearby stores and online,” the spokesperson said.
The retailer also stated that consultations were taking place with staff members most affected by the planned closures and that efforts would be made to find alternative positions for as many employees as possible within the business.
Retail Pressures Continue to Affect Convenience Stores
Morrisons has linked the decision to broader trading challenges within parts of its convenience network. According to the company, the review identified several stores whose performance had been difficult for a number of years despite remedial measures.
The supermarket said the affected locations had faced additional pressure from rising operating costs. According to reports, Morrisons cited increases in the National Living Wage and higher employer National Insurance contributions among the factors contributing to the situation.
The company emphasized that the closures apply to company-owned convenience stores and not to franchised Morrisons Daily locations. According to the retailer, the franchised side of the business continues to expand.
The announcement comes amid ongoing difficulties for many UK high streets. Insolvency specialist Molly Monks of Parker Walsh said that changes in retail had been underway for some time but had accelerated during the cost-of-living crisis. According to comments reported by GB News, she said discretionary spending had fallen in many sectors while footfall outside major city centers remained below pre-pandemic levels.
For now, Morrisons has confirmed only seven locations. The retailer has indicated that further details regarding the wider closure program will emerge as consultations continue.
