Residents of Bath are rallying to save their local Morrisons Daily store in Bathwick following Morrisons’ announcement to close 100 shops in the coming months. Jolanta Szubert, the store manager, has initiated a petition to prevent the closure, emphasizing the store’s crucial role in providing jobs and affordable shopping options to the local community.
The petition highlights the store’s vital importance: “This store is far more than just a supermarket. It is an essential local service relied upon by families, elderly residents, people without easy transport, and many others in the area.” It also stresses the potential negative impact on vulnerable community members who depend on nearby shopping access, stating, “Losing the store would leave a major gap in local services and negatively affect daily life for many people.”
Morrisons acquired the Morrisons Daily shops from McColl’s for £190 million in 2022, but despite this investment, many of the stores have been operating at a loss. However, the Bathwick store reports increased sales compared to the previous year, with improvements in product range, store tidiness, and customer experience. Szubert added, “Staff have made a major effort to create a welcoming and well-run store that the local community can be proud of.”
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The chain faces pressure to reconsider the closures, consult with local communities, and protect jobs where possible. This round of closures follows last year’s shuttering of 52 cafes and 17 convenience stores, and recent plans to cut around 200 jobs at Morrisons’ Bradford headquarters.
While Morrisons declined to comment specifically on the Bathwick location, a spokesperson explained the broader strategy behind the closures: “Expansion of our convenience business is a core part of Morrisons’ growth strategy. We currently operate around 1,700 convenience stores, adding over 120 new franchise stores last year, and plan to expand further in 2026.”
The spokesperson noted the need to close underperforming stores acquired from McColl’s, citing years of financial challenges worsened by rising operational costs linked to government policies. “Though difficult, these closures will allow us to focus on stores that serve customers best and strengthen our overall Convenience estate,” they said.
Morrisons acknowledged that some colleagues will face redundancy but pledged to support affected staff through redeployment opportunities within the supermarket, logistics, and manufacturing sectors.
The community’s plea underscores the importance of local stores beyond mere commerce, emphasizing the social and economic fabric they sustain.