If your local Morrisons café has gone quiet lately, it’s not your imagination — it might be gone for good. The UK supermarket chain has confirmed that dozens of its in-store cafés are closing permanently, part of a sweeping restructuring to cut costs and keep up with the country’s ruthless grocery market.
The move affects 52 cafés across the UK, alongside closures of 13 florists, 35 meat counters, 35 fish counters, four pharmacies, and all 18 “Market Kitchen” food halls. It’s a major retrenchment for the 125-year-old brand, which started as a single butter and egg stall in Bradford back in 1899.
Morrisons’ Makeover: Cutting the Extras
This isn’t just about coffee and cake. Morrisons — now the fifth-largest supermarket in the UK after being overtaken by Aldi — is streamlining its operations to survive a brutally competitive retail environment.
According to Morrisons’ corporate statements, the closures are part of a broader efficiency drive aimed at focusing on “core grocery operations” and simplifying services that aren’t turning a profit. The company insists that affected staff will be redeployed wherever possible, but admits “a number of roles” are being made redundant.
It’s the latest in a wave of cost-cutting across the UK’s big supermarkets. Earlier this year, Sainsbury’s shuttered most of its cafés and hot-food counters, while Tesco and Asda trimmed in-store bakeries and deli offerings. Even Waitrose, long known for its service counters, has scaled back.
The reason? Britain’s grocery market is undergoing an identity crisis. With inflation biting, shoppers are moving toward budget chains like Aldi and Lidl, forcing the traditional “Big Four” to rethink everything from store layouts to in-store experiences.
Aldi Overtakes Morrisons: The Wake-Up Call
In September, research from Kantar confirmed what many analysts predicted: Aldi officially overtook Morrisons to become the UK’s fourth-largest supermarket by market share.
That milestone was more than symbolic — it showed how fast customer loyalty can shift in the era of high living costs. Aldi’s no-frills approach and aggressive pricing have drawn millions of households away from the mid-tier brands that once dominated British shopping streets.
Morrisons’ café closures, therefore, aren’t just about saving money. They’re about pivoting toward efficiency, freeing up space, and retooling stores to compete on price rather than nostalgia.
| Service Affected | Number of Closures | Purpose of Restructuring |
|---|---|---|
| In-store cafés | 52 | Reduce costs, low profitability |
| Florists | 13 | Declining demand |
| Meat counters | 35 | Shift to pre-packed range |
| Fish counters | 35 | Simplify store operations |
| Pharmacies | 4 | Consolidate under fewer sites |
| Market Kitchens | 18 | Cut high-overhead prepared-food zones |
The Human Cost
Behind the spreadsheets, the impact on staff is real. Thousands of workers have been affected, though Morrisons says many are being offered alternative positions in other store departments or distribution centers.
Still, for employees who’ve spent years serving up tea, toasties, and full English breakfasts to regulars, the closures sting. The cafés, once community hubs for pensioners and parents alike, are disappearing at a pace few expected.
And for smaller towns — especially those where Morrisons doubles as a social space — the loss will be felt.
Full List of Morrisons Cafés Closing
Here’s the confirmed list of locations where cafés have shut or are set to close in 2025:
| Region | Locations |
|---|---|
| Scotland | Paisley Falside Rd, Bellshill John St, Dumbarton Glasgow Rd, East Kilbride Lindsayfield, East Kilbride Stewartfield, Glasgow Newlands, Largs Irvine Rd, Troon Academy St, Wishaw Kirk Rd, Bathgate, Erskine Bridgewater Shopping Centre, Helensburgh, Banchory North Deeside Rd |
| North England | Bradford Thornbury, Failsworth Poplar St, Blackburn Railway Rd, Leeds Swinnow Rd, Leeds Horsforth, Kirkham Poulton St, Newcastle UT Cowgate, Elland, Mansfield Woodhouse |
| Midlands | Lutterworth Bitteswell Rd, Bromsgrove Buntsford Industrial Park, Solihull Warwick Rd, Northampton Kettering Rd, Gloucester Metz Way |
| South England | Portsmouth, Great Park, Crowborough, Hadleigh, High Wycombe Temple End, Leighton Buzzard Lake St, Sidcup Westwood Ln, Welwyn Garden City Black Fan Rd, Warminster Weymouth St, Oxted Station Yard, Reigate Bell St, Borehamwood, Weybridge Monument Hill, Watford Ascot Rd, Littlehampton Wick |
| Wales | Brecon Free St, Caernarfon North Rd, Connah’s Quay |
| London Area | Queensbury, Wood Green, Erith, Harrow Hatch End, Stratford |
A Pattern Across UK Retail
Morrisons’ move mirrors a broader post-pandemic correction in UK retail. As food costs and wages rise, chains are shedding non-core operations. In-store dining, fresh fish counters, and floristry — once considered differentiators — have become expensive luxuries in a market dominated by value and convenience.
Even so, Morrisons isn’t retreating entirely. The grocer is expanding its “Morrisons Daily” convenience format through partnerships with petrol stations and local retailers, focusing on quicker shopping trips rather than big weekly hauls.
The Future of the Big Four
The battle for Britain’s grocery pound is no longer about who has the most cafés or the best fresh counter — it’s about who can make a £50 weekly shop stretch furthest. As Morrisons retools its image, industry experts say the brand must walk a fine line between cutting costs and maintaining its reputation for quality.
If it pulls it off, Morrisons could emerge leaner and stronger. If not, Aldi and Lidl will keep eating its lunch — and its breakfast, too.
FAQs:
Why is Morrisons closing its cafés?
Because the cafés have become less profitable amid changing shopping habits and rising operational costs.
How many Morrisons cafés are closing in total?
Fifty-two cafés across the UK have been closed or scheduled to close in 2025.
What other services are being affected?
Thirteen florists, 35 meat counters, 35 fish counters, four pharmacies, and 18 Market Kitchens are also closing.
