‘We’re being cut off’ sob shoppers as bargain supermarket shuts over 50 ‘hugely nostalgic’ cafes in raft of closures

A MAJOR supermarket chain has shut over 50 ‘hugely nostalgic’ cafes in a raft of closures, with locals saying: “We’re being cut off.”

Morrisons announced the move on Monday as part of a major shake-up.

The changes will also see 17 convenience stores and several in-store services shut down, including pharmacies, fish and meat counters, and all of its market kitchens.

The decision puts 365 jobs at risk and has triggered emotional responses from regular customers who say the cafes are a lifeline – not just for cheap food, but for connection and community.

At the Elland branch in West Yorkshire, many shoppers said that the closures will have a devastating impact, especially on the elderly, parents, and people with mobility needs.

Claire Webb, 55, said: “It’s terrible. I work nearby and we’ve had staff meals and get-togethers there.

But more importantly, a lot of pensioners come just for the company.

“It’s a space where you feel safe, where it’s warm, and where you can see familiar faces.

“You’re not just cutting a service, you’re cutting people off.”

Claire also praised the café’s value, saying: “It’s affordable, you earn reward points, and during a cost-of-living crisis that really helps.”

Adrian Haigh Hutchinson, 68, also relies on the café to meet people and keep warm.

He said: “It’s a nice place for older people to rest and chat.

You see the same faces week after week.

“Without it, people will just stay home.

“And Morrisons might lose those customers altogether.

“They’ll just go to Asda or somewhere else instead.”

“Morrisons cafes have always been part of their identity – there’s a huge amount of nostalgia attached to them.”

Catherine Shuttleworth

The Elland store, near the River Calder and close to the A629 linking Huddersfield and Halifax, serves a tight-knit community.

Many locals say the cafe was more than a place to eat – it was part of daily life.

And it’s not just Elland. Stores across the country – including Bradford Thornbury, Leeds Horsforth and Swinnow Road, as well as branches in London, Portsmouth and Glasgow – will lose their cafes too.

Retail expert Catherine Shuttleworth from Savvy Marketing said the move marks the “end of an era” for the brand.

“Morrisons cafes have always been part of their identity, there’s a huge amount of nostalgia attached to them,” she said.

But she admitted the supermarket is facing growing pressure from budget rivals like Aldi and Lidl, and that today’s shoppers have different habits.

“Fewer people are doing the big weekly shop, more people are ordering online, and cafe culture has changed – people want a quick coffee rather than a full English,” she explained.

“The cost of running a hot food operation has gone up, and unfortunately, the cafes were one of the first to go.”

Still, Catherine believes Morrisons missed a trick.

“They could’ve reimagined the space – maybe turned them into coffee lounges or community hubs,” she said.

“Because for some customers, especially older ones, the cafe was the reason they came in.”

Local mum Marie Hoyle, 28, said she’s “gutted” by the closure.

Since having her baby, she’s visited the cafe regularly.

“It’s quiet, safe, affordable – and easy with a buggy.

“You can’t say that for every coffee shop,” she said.

“I’ve seen groups of older ladies meeting there, people in wheelchairs, families. It gave people a reason to leave the house.”

With the closures set to roll out over the next few months, some are bracing for more than just inconvenience – but loneliness.

“It’ll cut me off from more people,” said Adrian. “It’s more than just a cafe – it’s part of your week, part of your community.”

Morrisons said the decision wasn’t taken lightly, and promised to support staff at risk of redundancy.

A spokesperson said: “The changes we are announcing are a necessary part of our plans to renew and reinvigorate Morrisons and allow us to focus investment into the areas that customers really value and that can drive growth.

“Although these changes are relatively small in the context of the overall scale of the business, we do not take lightly the disruption and uncertainty they will cause to some of our colleagues.”

They added: “We will of course take particular care to look after all of them well through the coming changes.”

But for many, the damage is already done. With familiar faces disappearing and gathering spaces.