God. Another one bites the dust.
The final Morrisons store on the chopping block is closing its doors for good TODAY in Haxby, near York. I drove past it last weekend and saw staff already packing things away with that unmistakable end-of-days retail energy. This marks the last of 17 stores Morrisons has axed recently as part of what they're calling a "major shake-up" (corporate speak for "we're in trouble").
Audio Summary of the Article
When Your Local Shop Disappears Overnight
I spoke with Janet, a 72-year-old Haxby resident yesterday who's absolutely devastated. "Where am I supposed to get my shopping now?" she asked me, genuinely concerned. "I've been coming here every Tuesday for 15 years. I don't drive anymore."
This closure is hitting the elderly and car-less particularly hard. One man I chatted with in teh parking lot (who didn't want to be named) told me he's been shopping there since it opened. His response when I asked what he'll do now? "Starve, probably." Dark humor masking real worry.
The Corporate Axe Falls HARD
It's not just stores disappearing. Morrisons is gutting 52 in-store cafés, 35 meat and fish counters, and 18 of those Market Kitchen food courts they spent millions promoting just a few years back. Remember when they launched those in 2019? I wrote a piece about how they were "the future of supermarket dining." Well... that aged like milk left on a radiator.
Instead, they're rolling out those weird "Tally" robots that roam the aisles. Saw one last month in their Leeds store – it bumped into an elderly woman and just kept going like some kind of grocery-hunting Terminator.
Blame Game: It's the Government's Fault (According to Morrisons)
Morrisons is pointing fingers at increased National Insurance contributions and minimum wage hikes for their financial woes. Classic.
Meanwhile, Chancellor Rachel Reeves is standing firm, defending these policies as essential for Britain's economic future adn NHS funding. She's also touting that new £5 billion India trade deal as some kind of retail savior. I spent 3 hours yesterday trying to understand how that helps Janet get her weekly shop in Haxby. Spoiler: it doesn't.
What About the Workers?
I feel for the staff. Seriously.
My cousin worked at a Morrisons that closed in 2018, and the "we'll relocate you" promise turned into "here's a part-time position 17 miles away." Some employees at Haxby have been offered positions at nearby branches, but let's be real – not everyone can or will make that transition.
One employee (who asked to remain anonymous for obvious reasons) texted me: "They told us three weeks ago. Some of us have been here for decades."
The Slow Death of Small Town Shopping
This is bigger than just Morrisons. I've been tracking supermarket closures across Britain since last autumn, and the pattern is clear – smaller towns are losing their stores at an alarming rate.
Walking through Haxby yesterday felt like attending a wake. The community is losing more than just a place to buy groceries. For many, especially older residents, it was a social hub. A place to see familiar faces. A reason to get out of the house.
And yes, Morrisons has its fans. Their loyalty scheme lets you use points on essentials like baby milk (unlike some competitors I could name), and they've been known for those little touches like free flowers on Mother's Day. My mum still talks about getting those last year.
The Corporate Non-Apology
Morrisons' official statement is a masterclass in saying nothing: "We continually review our estate to make sure we are operating in the right locations. Unfortunately, the decision has been made to close our Haxby store. We thank our colleagues and customers for their support."
Translation: "This location isn't making us enough money anymore. Tough luck."
Listen. I've covered retail for 11 years now. These corporate statements all sound the same – devoid of any acknowledgment of the human cost. Like a ghost at a family reunion – present but ultimately meaningless.
The doors close for the final time tonight. Another empty building on another high street. Another community left wondering what comes next.
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