Morrisons shoppers have erupted in fury following the introduction of a new charge for withdrawing cash from ATMs at select Morrisons Daily convenience stores. The change, which has sparked widespread complaints on local Facebook pages, particularly in Stakeford, has led customers to urge others to "write to your MP" in protest.
External Provider Implements Fee in Trial Scheme
The cash machine in question is operated by an external provider, meaning pricing decisions are not directly controlled by Morrisons. It is understood that the new charge is part of a limited trial being conducted in a handful of Morrisons Daily stores across the UK. An anonymous customer posted online, stating, "Cash machine at Morrisons Daily now charges you to withdraw YOUR cash," highlighting the sense of betrayal felt by many.
Community Backlash and Political Calls
One shopper confirmed, "It’s free until the end of the month then they will charge. I have just rang them and they have confirmed it." This has been met with anger, as another commented, "This is very unfair and a precedent of free withdrawals has been set for many, many years. Time to write to your MP. This is another tax on people and your money." Reports indicate that at least one individual has already contacted their MP, showing the issue is gaining political traction.
Broader Context of Declining Free ATMs
This development occurs against a backdrop of shrinking access to free cash machines in the UK. According to the Payment Choice Alliance, nearly 19,000 free-to-use ATMs have vanished from high streets since January 2018. In 2025, the typical UK adult withdrew £1,352 from cash machines, a 5% decrease from the £1,424 taken out the previous year, reflecting a gradual shift away from cash usage.
Morrisons' Financial Struggles and Performance
Morrisons, owned by US private equity firm Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, recently disclosed annual losses of £381 million for the year ending October 26, largely due to a £281 million interest bill on its debt. However, this marked an improvement from losses of £414 million in the 2023/24 period. The supermarket group managed to reduce its debts by 10% over the year, though it still carries a substantial £3.1 billion debt pile.
On an underlying basis, excluding costs such as debt interest, Morrisons' earnings remained steady at £835 million. The company attributed challenges to rising operational costs and a cyber incident in late 2024 that caused an IT systems outage, disrupting product availability just before Christmas.
Positive Sales Trends Amidst Controversy
Despite these hurdles, Morrisons reported a like-for-like sales growth of 3.4% over the Christmas period in the six weeks to January 4. This was bolstered by strong demand for its own-brand premium range, which saw sales surge by 17.4%. Non-food sales increased by 10%, and clothing sales rose by 4.7% during the festive season.
Rami Baitieh, chief executive of Morrisons, remarked, "In a year when consumers were feeling the squeeze, we grew like-for-like sales for a 12th consecutive quarter, maintained Ebitda and our market share." This indicates a resilient performance in a competitive retail environment, even as the ATM fee issue stirs consumer discontent.
The introduction of ATM charges at Morrisons Daily stores represents a significant shift that has not only angered shoppers but also raised broader questions about access to cash and consumer rights in an evolving retail landscape.
