Morrisons Closes Newspaper Delivery Service, Leaving 1,700 Young Workers Jobless

Morrisons has announced the closure of its Home News Delivery (HND) service, resulting in the redundancy of approximately 1,700 young deliverers. This decision follows the sale of the supermarket’s newspaper rounds to News Team Group, the largest news and magazine delivery network in the UK. The supermarket cited a “long-term decline in demand” for newspaper home delivery as the primary reason for the service’s discontinuation, stating that it had become “impossible to sustain” financially.

The closure has raised significant concerns from the Federation of Independent Retailers (The Fed), which represents thousands of independent businesses across the UK. The Fed underscored the vital role that HND services play, particularly for elderly and vulnerable residents who rely on daily newspaper deliveries. “HND remains a lifeline for thousands of households across the UK,” said a spokesperson for The Fed.

Brian Murphy, head of news at The Fed, expressed disappointment over the loss of longstanding HND customers during this transition. Murphy stressed the importance of maintaining reliable delivery services for those who depend on their newspapers for companionship and routine. “Our priority now is to work with all parties to ensure orders are reinstated wherever possible, especially for elderly or infirm customers,” he added.

In addition to concerns over customer service, The Fed also highlighted the impact on young deliverers, many of whom were in their first jobs. Reports indicated that these individuals received minimal notice and unclear information regarding their redundancy. “We are concerned that the young deliverers who carried out these important roles are losing what may well be their first job,” Murphy remarked.

The Fed has called on both Morrisons and News Team Group to consider the broader implications of this decision on young people, families, and the communities they serve. The organization is committed to advocating for the recognition and protection of local HND services throughout the supply chain.

As the news circulates, The Fed aims to collaborate with various stakeholders to ensure that the value of trusted, local delivery services is acknowledged and sustained in the future.