Dozens of Morrisons Stores Fail Hygiene Inspections
Dozens of Morrisons outlets have failed food hygiene checks, with some scoring as low as zero, piling further pressure on the debt-laden supermarket chain.
More than 30 stores have been ordered to improve standards following recent inspections.
Two branches — in Bristol and Chingford, east London — received a zero rating over the past year, requiring urgent action on food safety. A further 10 stores were scored one, indicating major improvements are needed.
Twenty more Morrisons outlets — in cities including Sheffield, Milton Keynes and Epsom Downs — were told to improve after scoring two in food hygiene inspections. A score of two means some improvements are required.
Inspectors assess supermarkets on several factors, including whether food is handled safely, the adequacy of hand-washing facilities, and the effectiveness of pest control. Ratings are typically issued at least once every two years.
According to data first reported by The Grocer, Morrisons ranked worst among the major grocers. Asda, Sainsbury’s and Lidl had no stores scoring below two, while Tesco had 15 flagged for poor hygiene.
The findings add to the mounting pressure on Morrisons, which is already struggling with falling sales and heavy debt costs following its £10bn private equity takeover by Clayton Dubilier & Rice in 2021.
Earlier this month, the supermarket reported that annual sales had dropped by more than £1bn to £17bn, its lowest level since the buyout. Finance costs for the year to November 2024 surged to £701m.
Chief executive Rami Baitiéh has pledged to “reinvigorate” the chain, but industry data shows Morrisons is close to losing its position as the UK’s fourth-largest grocer. Worldpanel figures put its market share at 8.4%, just ahead of Lidl on 8.3%.
