McColl’s: 132 stores proposed for closure with 1,300 jobs at risk - what have owners Morrisons said?

Around 1,300 McColl’s workers are at risk of redundancy after it was announced that owners Morrisons are proposing the closure of 132 stores across the UK.

The news comes after supermarket chain Morrisons bought the company in a £190million rescue deal in May. Along with the proposed closures, the remaining McColl’s stores will be turned into Morrisons Daily brand, as part of the overhaul plan.

What have bosses said McColl’s closures?

Morrisons has said that bosses expect McColl’s to make a return to being profitable but has identified at least 132 loss-making stores, with a proposal to close these. Bosses added that all of those at risk of redundancy would be offered a job elsewhere in the company should they wish to take it.

Joseph Sutton, Morrisons’ convenience, online and wholesale director, said: “We have a great deal of work to do but there’s no question that McColl’s is a business with strong potential. I’m confident that the combination of McColl’s conveniently located stores and great colleagues, together with Morrisons scale, brand, systems and fresh food expertise, will lead to a transformation of the business.

“We very much regret the proposed closure of 132 loss-making stores but it is, very sadly, an important step towards the regeneration of the business. I am confident that McColl’s can, in the Morrisons family, once again become a growing, thriving and vibrant convenience business serving local communities across the UK.”

David Potts, chief executive of Morrisons, added: “Today marks an important moment for the McColl’s business, colleagues and customers as we formally welcome the business and its colleagues into the Morrisons family.

“We are now able to begin the urgent journey to transform McColl’s into a viable, well-invested and growing operation.”