The Post Office is set to lose at least 52 branches this summer as Morrisons closes dozens of its Morrisons Daily convenience stores across the UK. The closures, expected to take effect by early October, could leave thousands of customers without easy access to postal services in their communities.
Scope of Closures
According to analysis of Post Office consultation documents by Better Retailing, the affected branches are located in Morrisons Daily stores that the supermarket chain has decided to shut. Many of the closures are concentrated in southern England, but branches in Wales, Scotland, and northern England are also on the list. The Post Office is reportedly seeking alternative locations to host services in the affected communities.
Morrisons has described the closures as a “tough but necessary decision,” citing years of unprofitability at the stores, exacerbated by significant cost increases linked to government policy decisions. The convenience stores were acquired as part of Morrisons’ £190 million rescue deal for McColl’s in 2022.
Impact on Communities and Workers
Several MPs have entered talks with Morrisons and the Post Office in an effort to protect access to local services. The supermarket is consulting with affected staff and has previously stated it would look to offer workers alternative roles elsewhere in the business where possible. Better Retailing notes that the Morrisons Daily closures, combined with other recent store closures, could push the Post Office network close to falling below the government’s requirement to maintain at least 11,500 sites.
Full List of Closing Branches
The following Morrisons Daily Post Office branches are set to close:
- Avon Drive Post Office, Bedford
- Bewdley Post Office
- Blackwater Post Office, Camberley
- Brigg Post Office
- Burpham Post Office, Guildford
- Calne Post Office
- Chalfont St Peter Post Office, Gerrards Cross
- Church Road Post Office, Barnes, London
- Clerkhill Post Office, Peterhead
- Coley Park Post Office, Reading
- Crown Wood Post Office, Bracknell
- Darras Hall Post Office, Ponteland, Newcastle Upon Tyne
- Defoe Parade Post Office, Grays
- Downend Post Office, Bristol
- Edinburgh Road Post Office, Jarrow
- Fairfax Avenue Post Office, Hull
- Fleet Post Office
- Goldsworth Park Post Office, Woking
- Great Baddow Post Office, Chelmsford
- Greystoke Avenue Post Office, Southmead, Bristol
- Grove Hill Post Office, Hemel Hempstead
- Hallgrove Post Office, Welwyn Garden City
- Hassocks Post Office
- Heatherside Post Office
- Horley Post Office
- Hundredstone Post Office, Yeovil
- Ifield Drive Post Office, Crawley
- Jansel Square Post Office, Aylesbury
- Leominster Post Office
- Locks Bottom Post Office, Orpington
- Longfield Post Office
- Luton Post Office, Chatham
- Manston Drive Post Office, Bishops Stortford
- Marshalswick Post Office, St Albans
- Montague Avenue Post Office, Southampton
- Murch Post Office, Dinas Powys
- New Ash Green Post Office, Longfield
- New Milton Post Office
- North Parade Post Office, Chessington
- Radyr Post Office, Cardiff
- Riverview Park Post Office, Gravesend
- Rochford Post Office
- Shortstown Post Office, Bedford
- Stephenson Square Post Office, Walsall
- Surbiton Post Office
- Taunton Road Post Office, Bridgwater
- Thatcham Post Office
- The Neighbourhood Centre Post Office, Poole
- The Oval Post Office, Stevenage
- West Park Post Office, Plymouth
- Whipton Post Office, Exeter
- Woodthorpe Post Office, York
Morrisons' Response
Morrisons has stated that the move relates to loss-making stores, while it continues to operate and grow its wider Morrisons Daily convenience business through other models. The Post Office is understood to be actively looking for replacement shops that could host services in affected communities.
