As supermarket chains like Morrisons close their cafes, a question lingers: what will replace the convenient and community-driven spaces they once offered?
The UK supermarket chain Morrisons has announced that it will be closing 52 of its cafes, joining the likes of ‘renew and reinvigorate’ the company and focus investment on areas where customers value it most.
Morrisons is a British supermarket chain founded in 1899 by William Morrison.
The first store was opened in Bradford, West Yorkshire.
Initially, the company focused on selling fresh produce and dairy products.
In the 1960s, Morrisons expanded to other locations in the UK.
Today, Morrisons operates over 500 stores across the country, employing more than 180,000 people.
Regular customers at the Morrisons cafe in Queensbury, north-west London, are expressing their surprise and sadness at the closure. ‘I’m furious about the decision,’ says Philomena Hughes, 76, as the cafe is her favorite place to meet friends and family. Other regulars praise the quality of food, low prices, and convenience of grabbing groceries beforehand.
For many families, supermarket cafes have been a convenient option for a quick and affordable hot meal. ‘It was a quick and cheap solution without the stress of cooking at home,’ says Lisa Clavering, 42, from St Albans.
Retail analyst Natalie Berg tells the BBC that the decline of supermarket cafes is not surprising, given changes in shopping habits and competition from high-street coffee chains. ‘Supermarkets need to be ruthless with cost-cutting in a low-margin industry,’ she notes, where customers want low prices and a frictionless experience.
Not everyone sees the closure of supermarket cafes as a significant issue. ‘I rarely visit these cafes,’ says Ben Tinca, 19, preferring fast-food chains like Nando’s and KFC instead. Snehal Khimani also seems unconcerned about the closures, suggesting that if they were popular, there would be more outcry.
Despite the closures, some see an opportunity for supermarkets to innovate and adapt. _’M&S, which has over 300 cafes, plans to continue investing in its cafes and offering takeaway food and drink to attract younger customers,’_ providing a model for Morrisons** as it restructures its business.
Supermarket cafes have provided a welcoming space for people to meet and socialize while enjoying a meal. While their closure may be seen as a necessary step by some, others will miss the convenience and community they offered. As supermarkets continue to evolve, it remains to be seen how these spaces will be replaced or reimagined in the future.
