**Morrisons Shuts Another Store This Week Amidst Growing List of Closures**
Morrisons has announced that another one of its stores will cease trading this week, marking the latest development in a significant wave of closures across its Morrisons Daily chain. This decision follows the earlier shuttering of 16 branches in April, as the supermarket giant continues to make challenging choices in response to shifting market conditions.
The imminent closure concerns the Morrisons Daily outlet in Haxby, located in North Yorkshire. Initially, this branch had been slated to close on 16 April, but the deadline was postponed, with the final trading day now confirmed for 14 May. The delay has given local residents and stakeholders additional time to adjust and seek alternatives for popular services, particularly the in-store Post Office, which many community members rely on.
Local councillor Ian Cuthbertson expressed serious concerns over the impact of the closure, especially with respect to Post Office services. “This move will significantly affect not just those in Haxby and Wigginton, but also several neighbouring communities that depend on these essential facilities,” he commented. Cuthbertson highlighted the branch’s role as a hub for cash deposits for businesses in the wider York area, intensifying anxiety about the repercussions for local commerce.
Morrisons has stated that it is working closely with the Post Office to help secure continued service within the area and to mitigate disruption wherever possible. A spokesperson for the company acknowledged, “We fully recognise the inconvenience this will cause for our customers and apologise for the short notification period leading up to these closures.” The chain has also assured the public that it is actively advertising vacancies for replacement Post Office operators in most affected locations, in an effort to restore key services quickly.
This announcement falls in the wider context of a strategic reassessment for the retailer. Back in March, the company revealed plans to close 52 of its in-store cafés along with 17 convenience branches, decisions that have put hundreds of jobs at risk. The company’s reassessment is believed to be part of broader efforts to streamline operations and prioritise profitability amid continually mounting challenges in the retail sector.
A Post Office spokesman also addressed the closures, stating, “We are acutely aware of the disruption this will bring to customers in these areas. Every effort is being made to find alternative sites to ensure communities do not lose access to vital services.”
Stores affected by the recent wave of closures extend well beyond Haxby. The list from April alone includes sites across England and Scotland, closing in towns such as Gorleston, Peebles, Shenfield, Poole, Tonbridge, Romsey, Stewarton, Selsdon, Great Barr, Whickham, Worle, Goring-By-Sea, Woking, Wokingham, Exeter, and Bath. The breadth and geographical spread of closures underscores the scale of Morrisons’ operational restructuring.
Industry analysts note that Morrisons is not alone in grappling with shifts in consumer behaviour, increased operating costs, and intense competition from discount retailers. The company faces difficult choices as it seeks to remain competitive while juggling customer needs with financial sustainability.
Local residents have voiced concern about reduced access to essential amenities, particularly for the elderly and those without easy access to alternative transport. Businesses, too, are anxious about changes to their deposit routines with the closure of familiar Post Office counters.
As the supermarket landscape adapts to the realities of modern retailing, Morrisons’ decisions signal a period of transition for both the chain and the communities it serves. The final outcome of ongoing negotiations for alternative Post Office locations remains to be seen, but both the retailer and the Post Office maintain they are committed to finding solutions that will best serve affected residents and businesses.
For now, communities like Haxby are bracing for change, hoping their voices are being heard and that critical services will continue in some form after the final shop doors close.