Morrisons Shoppers Demand MPs Intervene Over New ATM Charges Trial
Shoppers across the United Kingdom are demanding that their Members of Parliament intervene and lobby Morrisons to reverse a controversial trial of new charges for cash withdrawals at ATMs in its supermarkets. The supermarket giant has introduced a small fee for accessing cash at some of its automated teller machines, sparking widespread consumer outrage and calls for political action.
Customer Backlash and Political Pressure
Under significant operational changes at Morrisons, customers will now have to pay a fee to withdraw cash from certain ATMs located within its stores. Shoppers in Stakeford, Northumberland, have been particularly vocal in criticizing these changes from one of the UK's Big Four supermarket chains.
One frustrated customer expressed their concerns on social media, stating: "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."
Other shoppers have reported taking direct action, with one commenting "MP contacted" and another revealing "MP's team have been in touch and are looking into it." This growing movement highlights increasing consumer frustration with what many perceive as an unnecessary additional cost during a period of economic pressure.
Morrisons' Cash Machine Expansion
Last year, Morrisons significantly expanded its cash machine network, installing ATMs across 53 shops nationwide as part of its initiative to make banking services "more accessible" for customers. The supermarket has now become the UK's largest non-bank cash deposit ATM network, with 40 machines currently operational in stores across the country.
An additional 13 cash deposit ATMs are scheduled to launch in the coming months, designed to provide customers with "even more options to access cash." Each of these specialized machines allows customers to both withdraw and deposit cash, offering what Morrisons describes as "greater flexibility and convenience" for both personal and business banking needs.
Company Response and Customer Communication
In response to customer inquiries on social media platform X in February, Morrisons stated: "Hi there, cash machines at Morrisons typically do not charge transaction fees. Keep an eye out for signage on the ATM screen to confirm. You can also contact your bank to inquire about fee-free ATM usage."
Ben Mildred, treasury manager at Morrisons, commented on the initiative: "We're proud to be helping make banking more accessible by offering cash deposit services in our stores. Customers have told us they like the flexibility and convenience the cash deposit ATMs offer and so we are pleased to be rolling them out to more stores in the coming weeks."
The supermarket's position emphasizes the enhanced services provided by these new cash deposit ATMs, though this has done little to appease customers angered by the introduction of withdrawal fees at some locations. The discrepancy between the company's messaging about improved accessibility and the reality of new charges has become a focal point of consumer complaints.
As the trial continues, pressure mounts on both Morrisons management and political representatives to address what many shoppers view as an unfair financial burden during challenging economic times. The outcome of this consumer campaign could set important precedents for how supermarkets balance service enhancements with customer costs in the future.
