Shoppers have expressed frustration after Morrisons introduced charges for cash withdrawals at some of its Morrisons Daily convenience stores, marking a significant shift for customers who have long relied on free access to cash.
Shoppers have expressed frustration after Morrisons introduced charges for cash withdrawals at some of its Morrisons Daily convenience stores, marking a significant shift for customers who have long relied on free access to cash.
Under 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, meaning Morrisons does not directly control the pricing structure.
Shoppers have expressed frustration after Morrisons introduced charges for cash withdrawals at some of its Morrisons Daily convenience stores, marking a significant shift for customers who have long relied on free access to cash.
Under 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, meaning Morrisons does not directly control the pricing structure.
The supermarket said the move reflects a sharp decline in cash usage as more customers switch to contactless and digital payments, which has reduced demand for free-to-use cash machines. While ATMs will remain available, the introduction of fees is seen by some as a blow for cash-reliant shoppers, particularly 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: “It’s free until the end of the month then they will charge. I have just rang them and they have confirmed it. This is very unfair and a precedent of free withdrawals has been set for many, many years.
"Time to write to your MP. This is another tax on people and your money.”
*** Ensure our latest news headlines always appear at the top of your Google Search by making us a Preferred Source. Click here to activate or add us as Preferred Source in your Google search settings. ***
Another resident said they had already contacted their local MP, reflecting broader concerns about declining access to free cash services.
The move comes amid a wider decline in free-to-use ATMs across the UK.
According to the Payment Choice Alliance, nearly 19,000 free cash machines have disappeared from high streets since January 2018, raising concerns about financial inclusion, particularly for elderly people, low-income households and those without easy access to digital banking.
Consumer groups have warned that charging for cash withdrawals could disproportionately affect vulnerable shoppers who depend on physical currency for budgeting and everyday transactions.
Morrisons has not indicated how many stores will be affected or whether the policy could be rolled out more widely, but the development highlights the growing tension between the shift towards a cashless economy and the needs of customers who still rely on cash.
