Supermarket giant makes huge change to convenience stores in blow for shoppers | UK | News
Shoppers have expressed frustration after Morrisons charged fees for cash withdrawals at some Morrisons Daily convenience stores; This marks a significant shift for customers who have long relied on free access to cash.
As part of the change, customers using certain in-store ATMs will now have to pay a small fee to withdraw money. The machines are operated by an external provider; This means Morrisons does not directly control the pricing structure.
Shoppers have expressed frustration after Morrisons charged fees for cash withdrawals at some Morrisons Daily convenience stores; This marks a significant shift for customers who have long relied on free access to cash.
As part of the change, customers using certain in-store ATMs will now have to pay a small fee to withdraw money. The machines are operated by an external provider; This means Morrisons does not directly control the pricing structure.
The supermarket said the move reflected a sharp decline in the use of cash as more customers switched to contactless and digital payments, resulting in reduced demand for free cash machines. Although ATMs will continue to be used, the introduction of the fees is seen by some as a blow to cash-dependent shoppers, especially in smaller communities.
Customers in Stakeford, Northumberland, have been vocal about the change, using local social media groups to vent their anger.
One shopper wrote: “Free until the end of the month then they will charge. I just called them and they confirmed this. This is so unfair and a precedent has been set for many years of free withdrawals.”
“It’s time to write to your MP. This is another tax on people and your money.”
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Another resident said they had already contacted their local MP, reflecting wider concerns about reduced access to free cash services.
The move comes amid a wider decline in free-to-use ATMs across the UK.
Nearly 19,000 free cash machines have disappeared from high streets since January 2018, according to the Payments Choice Alliance; This has raised concerns about financial inclusion, especially for the elderly, low-income households, and those without easy access to digital banking.
Consumer groups have warned that the cash withdrawal fee could disproportionately impact vulnerable customers who rely on physical currency for budgeting and day-to-day transactions.
Morrisons did not say how many stores would be affected or whether the policy would be rolled out more widely, but the development highlights the growing tension between the move to a cashless economy and the needs of customers who still rely on cash.
