Morrisons Shuts Down Newspaper Delivery Service, Affects 1,700 Jobs

Morrisons has officially terminated its home news delivery (HND) service, resulting in the redundancy of approximately 1,700 young deliverers. The supermarket chain has sold its newspaper rounds to News Team Group, the largest news and magazine delivery network in the UK. This decision stems from a reported “long-term decline in demand” for newspaper home delivery, which the company stated made the service financially unsustainable.

The Federation of Independent Retailers (The Fed) has voiced significant concerns about the impact of this closure. According to the organization, HND serves as a vital resource for many households, particularly for elderly and vulnerable individuals who depend on daily newspaper deliveries. Brian Murphy, head of news at The Fed, expressed disappointment regarding the loss of longstanding HND customers during this transition.

Murphy emphasized the importance of maintaining these connections, stating, “Our priority now is to work with all parties to ensure orders are reinstated wherever possible, especially for elderly or infirm customers who depend on a daily newspaper for companionship, routine, and connection.”

The Fed also highlighted serious concerns about the young deliverers affected by this decision. Many of these individuals were in their first jobs and reportedly received little notice or clear information about 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 added.

In light of these developments, The Fed is calling on both Morrisons and News Team Group to consider the broader implications of their decision on young people, families, and the communities they serve. The organization plans to advocate for the recognition and protection of trusted, local HND services throughout the supply chain.

As the landscape of newspaper delivery continues to evolve, this situation underscores the ongoing challenges faced by traditional media services and their workforce. The Fed remains committed to ensuring that the value of local delivery services is acknowledged, particularly in a time when such connections are increasingly important.