MORRISONS TO CLOSE OR SELL 75 POST OFFICES IN MCCOLL’S TAKEOVER

• Supermarket giant are reportedly closing, 55 post offices as part of 132 stores deemed to be loss-making  
• 10 Outreach Post Office locations will also be affected 
• Morrisons will also sell 28 additional stores, 20 of which include post offices 

The BBC are reporting that Morrisons plan to close 132 branches of McColl’s stores following their take-over of the convenience store chain. 

Last week, the regulatory body, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), approved the takeover of McColl’s which went into administration earlier this year. 

Of the 1164 stores, trading, there are 512 McColl’s stores with post offices that will be taken over by Morrisons. The reports suggest that the closures will take place “in an orderly fashion” with affected workers being offered alternative employment.  

In addition, Morrisons have also confirmed their acceptance to sell 28 of their McColl’s stores. 20 of which include post offices.  

The CMA gave the bid the green light but proposed the addition sale of 28 stores giant as part of their takeover due to local competition concerns, which Morrisons accepted. 

Despite the closures, Post Office Ltd. (PO) points out that the network remains in excess of the 11,500 branches as stipulated by the Government.  

On the selloffs a PO spokesperson said “Post Office notes the CMA’s decision, and we are fully engaged with all relevant parties to help ensure the ongoing provision of Post Office services where possible. We look forward to working more closely with Morrisons as a strategic partner.” 

NFSP CEO Calum Greenhow said “While we welcome the fact that the takeover of McColl’s by Morrisons has secured the future of many branches, any closure of post offices is a matter of concern for the NFSP. We urge PO and Government to ensure post offices remain at the heart of our communities and seek alternative locations to those effected branches by investing in products and services that attract customers back to the Post Office network. Government has sleepwalked into allowing the PO as a business to go into decline.”