The closures included 35 fish counters and 35 meat counters.

Speaking about the closures in 2025, Rami Baitiéh, chief executive of Morrisons, said: “The changes we are announcing… are a necessary part of our plans to renew and reinvigorate Morrisons and enable us to focus our investment into the areas that customers really value and that can play a full part in our growth.

“But as we modernise, we are making some necessary changes to the areas of the model which are simply uneconomic.”

Morrisons “learned a lot” from closures

A Morrison spokesperson commented: “Our Market Street counters are part of our DNA. They are at the heart of our offer and a real differentiator for Morrisons.

“We closed a small number of meat and fish counters last year – and have learned a lot from that. We have listened to customers and are now planning to reopen a number of these over the coming months. So, customers can look forward to having skilled butchers and fishmongers back in store to prepare their meat and fish just the way they like it.

“The reopened counters will incorporate flatbeds and grab and go options, and all of the significant learnings on yield and waste that the business has made over the last 12 months, to make them more efficient, while delivering the traditional counter service that customers love.

“The first meat and fish counters have already reopened at Great Park Newcastle, Herne Bay, Thornbury, Yeadon and Bolton Dawes, with more to follow soon.”