Morrisons cuts on your doorstep: 52 cafes, 18 market kitchens and 4 pharmacies set to shut

Shoppers across the UK may soon notice quieter aisles and blank menus as a household name resets its in‑store offer.

Morrisons has confirmed a sweeping refresh of its estate, trimming certain services while betting on what regulars value most. The move touches cafes, fresh food counters, floristry, pharmacies and a slice of its convenience network, with the grocer signalling targeted closures and potential third‑party concessions in their place.

What is changing across Morrisons stores

The supermarket says it will focus investment on areas that draw reliable demand and strong value. That means reducing space and labour where trade has fallen away, or where sites face persistent local challenges.

The plan at a glance:

• 52 Morrisons cafes closing
• 18 Market Kitchens shutting
• 17 Morrisons Daily convenience shops already closed
• 13 in‑store florists closing
• 35 meat counters and 35 fish counters to go
• 4 pharmacies closing

Executives insist most cafes remain viable, and the chain is not abandoning its fresh food ethos. Instead, under‑performing counters and kitchens will make way for alternative offers, potentially run by specialist partners.

Why the counters are disappearing

Fresh counters demand trained staff, long prep times and energy‑intensive equipment. When footfall dips or baskets shrink, margins thin quickly. The post‑pandemic shift towards pre‑packed, meal deals and rapid convenience has also taken a bite out of full‑service counters and sit‑down cafes.

Pressure from wages, energy bills and food input costs has forced grocers to re‑rank what pays back. Rival chains have already slimmed counters or repurposed space for third‑party brands and click‑and‑collect. Morrisons now follows that logic, but says it will favour fresh food where it clearly resonates with local customers.

Third‑party takeovers in store

Where a cafe or counter closes, Morrisons may invite specialists to fill the gap. Expect compact hot food concessions, branded bakery or coffee partners, or targeted grab‑and‑go units that can trade all day with lower overheads. Trials will vary by location, with the goal of keeping footfall and choice without the full in‑house cost.

Where closures are happening

The list spans England, Scotland and Wales, reaching city and market‑town sites alike. Cafes scheduled to close include Bradford Thornbury, London Wood Green, Glasgow Newlands, Leeds Horsforth, Blackburn Railway Road and Paisley Falside Road. Other examples include Solihull Warwick Road, Crowborough, East Kilbride Lindsayfield and Stewartfield, Watford Ascot Road, Gloucester Metz Way, and Littlehampton Wick.

Florists shutting include St Albans Hatfield Road, Sheffield Meadowhead, Aberdeen King Street, and Swinton. Four pharmacies are closing: Birmingham Small Heath, Blackburn Railway Road, Bradford Victoria and London Wood Green.

All 18 Market Kitchens are being wound down, including sites at Leeds Kirkstall, Camden Town, Milton Keynes Westcroft, Cheltenham Up Hatherley, Nottingham Netherfield and Aberdeen King Street. The Morrisons Daily closures already carried out range from Lowestoft Road in Gorleston to Old Town in Peebles and Peach Street in Wokingham, with a cluster completed on 16 April and a further Yorkshire site closing on 14 May.

Morrisons remains the UK’s fifth‑largest grocer, employing about 95,000 colleagues nationwide. The business says affected staff will receive support and opportunities to move within the group.

What it means for you

For regular cafe users, expect a reduced hot food offer in some stores or a different brand taking over the space. Fresh meat and fish will still be available in pre‑packed ranges, often cut or portioned at central sites to keep prices tighter. In shops losing Market Kitchens, look for expanded ready‑to‑heat meals and rotisserie lines, or a new hot counter partner.

Pharmacies and prescriptions

If your in‑store pharmacy is closing, you can transfer your repeat prescriptions to another pharmacy through the NHS Electronic Prescription Service. Ask your GP practice to nominate a new pharmacy, or speak to the team in store before the closure date to arrange a seamless move. Keep a note of any pending prescriptions and the date your current pharmacy stops dispensing.

• Check the closing date posted at your store’s pharmacy counter.
• Nominate a new pharmacy via your GP or directly at your chosen chemist.
• Carry a copy of your repeat slip until the transfer shows on the system.
• If you need emergency medication, phone NHS 111 for advice on local options.

Key dates for convenience closures

Morrisons Daily closures already completed took place largely on 16 April across England and Scotland, including sites in Norfolk, Greater London, Devon and Somerset, with another in North Yorkshire on 14 May. If you live near any of those addresses, check nearby alternatives within the Morrisons Daily network or larger supermarkets with extended hours.

How the chain says it will invest

The company frames these cuts as a reset that frees capital for sharper prices, broader fruit and veg, bakery and ambient ranges, and faster click‑and‑collect. The pledge centres on “what customers really value”: reliable availability, simple pricing and quick service. That ties in with a wider industry shift away from labour‑heavy counters towards scalable prepared food and automated service points.

The bigger picture for supermarkets

Traditional service counters have been thinning out across the big four as shopping habits tilt towards speed, value and consistency. More pre‑marinated proteins, portioned fish and oven‑ready dishes now land in chillers at keen prices, while space saved often goes to concessions, queue‑busting checkouts and home delivery staging. For many households, the trade‑off is choice versus cost. For grocers, it is resilience in tighter times.

If your local cafe, florist or pharmacy is listed, expect signage in store, staff support on next steps, and possible replacement concessions over time.

Practical tips if your local is affected

Before a cafe or counter closes, look for clearance pricing on affected ranges. If a florist is shutting, some stores discount plants and bouquets in the final week. With meat and fish counters going, try the premium pre‑packed lines; they often match former counter cuts in quality and carry clear provenance labelling. For Market Kitchen regulars, ask staff which ready‑meal ranges are replacing your usual order, then compare price per portion.

Families relying on in‑store cafes for low‑cost meals can still save by combining meal deals, bakery items and hot rotisserie chicken, often feeding four for less than the old sit‑down total. Check loyalty offers and coupon vouchers at the tills; Morrisons regularly rotates promotions that reduce weekly shop costs when counters change.

What to watch next

Expect pilots of specialist hot food and bakery concessions in select stores, plus rebalanced layouts that prioritise high‑turn aisles. If a trial lands in your area, early feedback can influence whether it rolls out. Shoppers who prefer staffed counters can still request specific cuts within pre‑pack ranges by weight and format; butchery and fishmongery teams may shift to back‑of‑house preparation rather than front‑counter service.

For colleagues, redeployment into online fulfilment, produce, ambient and click‑and‑collect roles often follows counter closures. Skills from kitchens and cafes transfer well to bakery and hot food concessions. If you are affected, ask managers about vacancies in nearby stores, training pathways and hours that fit your schedule.