Visit no 126 - Binley, Coventry

On a journey from Luton Airport to Chester (after a holiday in Copenhagen) I was lucky enough to stop off at a new Morrisons.  

Lorry en route to the new Morrisons!

Not far from the M6 is a business park where this Morrisons store is located with both a petrol station and a café.   As we were travelling near dinner time we decided to stop off for some food. 

Me standing next to the standard store sign!  Gutted there were no 'foot long' sausages rolls left though (See table to the right!)

After having the standard photo by the store name, we headed over to the cafe.  I'd originally decided to have a pie however we were told that they had sold out of these.  This always amazes me how in a supermarket cafe (adjoined to the supermarket) the cafe can run out of food - surely we can just go to the pie section and get a pie to cook?!  

Chicken Burger, chips & coleslaw followed by Chocolate fudge cake

This Morrisons store also had a barista style bar where before or after your shopping you can grab a drink - what a great idea! 












Currently the topic of waste and being environmentally friendly is a hot topic (as right it should be) and it was great to see Morrisons getting on board with this. Most noticeable was the removal of plastic straws with their drinks as well as offering to fill up water bottles.

We were there near to closing and the cakes and sandwiches were being reduced to sell off, although I am intrigued to know what happens if not all of these are sold... are these binned or are there charities who you work with to take the food to those in need? 

What else should Morrisons be doing to help the environment and the impact they have? 


Ideas

• Bottled sauces in the Café rather than in the small plastic sachets
• Discount offered to customers who bring their own reusable cup for takeaway drinks
• No plastic wrapped fruit and vegetables (although Morrisons is already very good at this with their 'greengrocer' style set up)
• Cardboard boxes from produce available at check-outs for packing your shopping into instead of carrier bags 
• Customers to bring own tubs for items such as pasta, rice, cereal etc where produce could be stored in containers and is priced based on weight. 

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Next time: Cadbury world and a visit to Small Heath 

Morrisons is coming to to the Channel Islands

Monday 12th February 7.10 a.m.

I couldn't believe it - surely I must be dreaming!

But no, it's actually true!  It has been announced that the Sandpiper CI group have entered into a franchise agreement with Morrisons. This will result in the Food Hall stores across the Channel Islands being re-branded as Morrisons Daily convenience stores.  I couldn't be happier!

Back in the summer of 2014 I was lucky enough to visit the Morrisons HQ in Bradford, whilst there I explained I was moving to the Channel Islands and I was very disappointed that I wouldn't have the opportunity to shop at Morrisons any more.  The CEO at the time, Dalton Phillips said if I found Morrisons a location they'd look into the feasibility of opening a store here.  In Guernsey I found an empty unit which used to be a Co-op bank so I sent Morrisons a picture:

Potential store in Guernsey

Almost 4 years later and here we are - Morrisons stores en route to the Channel Islands!  Can't wait to cut the ribbon as promised by Dalton Phillips (ex CEO) ...

Email from Dalton Phillips (ex CEO)

A sad day

Today is a sad day, as we hear the news that Sir Ken Morrison has passed away.   

Sir Ken was the son of the founder of Morrisons; William Morrison who took over his father's small grocery chain and turned it in to one of the UK's largest supermarkets - what an achievement!

Although I was not lucky enough to have met him, I did receive several letters from him in response to me writing to him about this unique hobby - I was/am so grateful.

Today, also reminded me of what a lasting impression my hobby has had on others (even if I do not get the opportunity to visit as often now that I am living in Guernsey - when is Morrisons returning to Guernsey? - I will save this for another post), I have received numerous messages sharing the news of Sir Ken - people knowing full well I'd be interested to hear.

Friends also often message when driving past a Morrisons, or when they are sitting behind a Morrisons van on the motorway or just doing their weekly shop - what a funny impression I have left.

RIP Sir Ken Morrison - the impression you made on so many, will certainly live on.

A visit to Morrisons HQ

What a day!

On August 20th 2014 I was lucky enough to spend the day at Morrisons HQ in Bradford.  This was something which had been organised for my 21st but due to various things it had taken us nearly a year to finalise a date. 

Outside HQ (Hilmore House, Bradford)

As we pulled in to the car park I couldn’t help but smile; how on earth did this “hobby” lead to me visiting the Head Office of Morrisons Supermarkets?!  I guess the only thing to compare it to would be if you were to meet your favourite celebrity – I was so excited! 

We were greeted at the reception by Guy and Claire, (both current employees and who were going to be our tour guides for the day).  The day began with a tour of their office; the building was huge with 3 floors consisting of various departments from buying to accounts to M Kitchen.  We were introduced to other employees along the way who had all been following my blog.  Everyone was so friendly and very welcoming.  I think this must be the only place I could talk passionately about Morrisons without getting too strange a look!

Sir Ian Gibson, the Chairman, then came over to speak to me to hear all about the story behind the unusual hobby.  He was fascinated and extremely interested in my story.

I then was shown around various meeting rooms and the main board room where all the important decisions are made. 

I was then told I was going to meet Dalton Philips, the CEO - to me this was like meeting royalty as it was someone I had read so much about in various news articles about Morrisons.  I then found myself in the middle of a pricing meeting where all the main buyers were with Dalton discussing certain products and their prices.  They asked me a few questions including "what is my favourite store" and "what is my favourite product".  To these I responded with Cleveleys and Wrexham as my favourite stores and Cinammon Whirls as my favourite product - if you haven't tried these or anything from the Morrisons Bakery I would highly recommend it.

Dalton Philips

I was then taken down to see where the Morrisons van was parked and even got to sit inside it! Very impressive. Apparently it is taken to various shows in the area - has anyone ever seen it about on their travels?

Next on the agenda was lunch in the staff restaurant.  The menu was very different to what I was use to at Morrisons Cafés - I decided to have the Turkey and Sage Burger with Potato wedges - definitely a meal which should be introduced to the next new menu change at the cafés.

Claire then gave a tour of the rest of the building; it was a lot bigger than what I had expected. It had 3 floors with all open plan desks and meeting rooms around the outskirts.  We went past where the wine and food tasting took place.  Before an item goes on to store shelves it is tried and tested in order to ensure it has approval before it is put out to sell - this was something that I hadn’t realised before.

The trip ended with a gift from HQ - a fleece from one of the M Local stores:

All in all this had been a truly memorable day – one which I will never forget.  Thank you so much to the staff at Morrisons HQ for allowing me to see the story on the inside.

Next time: Special delivery from Morrisons HQ…

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Race 4 Life

Since last writing a post, life's been a bit of a roller-coaster ride...

In early September, we were given the news that my Grandad had terminal bowel cancer.  Hearing this diagnosis about a man who was never ill, never moaned or never caused any trouble came as quite a shock. My first questions was - how much time do we have?  But no-one could give us the answer.

After what felt like an eternity in Blackpool Victoria Hospital, Grandad was finally discharged to the rehabilitation unit in Bispham.  A lovely place, that would prepare him for going back to the comfort of his own home for a number of weeks.  I spent most weekends catching the train from University in Bangor and staying in his home in Poulton, then cycling or catching the bus to see him.  We'd spend the day talking, playing cards, doing the crossword, updating him with news about Morrisons  - just enjoying the time we had.

On the 6th October, it was my 21st Birthday, a day that I did not expect to spend the way I spent it.  It began with a trip up Blackpool Tower with my sister and good friend, Meg.  A great experience, one which I highly recommend to those who haven't been up.  We then went to the rehabilitation centre to visit Grandad where I spent the afternoon opening my presents and cards with him - one of my presents was a letter from Morrisons inviting me on a "tour of the headquarters in Bradford!"   I was over-joyed when I opened this as it was something I've been keen on doing for quite some time!

Ever since being diagnosed, every time we went to the Morrisons at Cleveleys the staff in the café always asked where Grandad was, and how he was doing.  They were deeply sorry to hear of the news and were very sympathetic - even the 'double-glazing' man passed comment.  Most people wouldn't understand this, but they had been a part of my Grandads, my sisters and my life for a good number of years and we had grown to get to know them.

On December 1st, we took a trip to Devon with Grandad, mum and my sister - something Grandad had asked to do for one last time.  We had a great time staying in a hotel on the front at Sidmouth, and were very lucky with the weather!  We even managed to stop at the Bridgewater Morrisons on the way down and stop at one of our favourite stores, Bristol Cribbs Causeway on the way back where they were very helpful and provided us with a wheelchair for our visit!

Sadly, Grandads long battle with cancer came to an end on February 5th 2014.  It had been my first encounter with Cancer and what an awful encounter it was.  Watching someone you love just become unable to do anything for themselves was heartbreaking.  It certainly made me realise how short life is and how you should treasurer each day and live life to the full!  Would also like to say a Thank You for all the support and care we received from Trinity Hospice, Bispham.

For Lent...

my friend, Amy and I decided instead of giving up something, we would take up running. We're not very "sporty" people so saw this as a bit of a challenge.  Since we started this, I started reading up on charity events I could get involved with to do my bit and thats when I came across 'Race4Life's'  - I suggested to Amy that we signed up to do a 10km and after a little bit of persuasion she agreed.  We are taking part in the Tatton Park Race 4 Life on the 28th June 2014 - Below is a link to our 'justgiving' page - we have set a target of £200 which I think is very attainable.  If you would like to sponsor us to help the very worthy cause of 'Cancer Research UK' we would be extremely grateful.

Just Giving - Rose Girls

We are also looking for a theme, maybe something Morrisons inspired in remembrance of my Grandad?  Maybe we could even get +Morrisons to support us?  Together, one day Cancer will be beaten.  Please get in touch if you have any suggestions.

M 'Shine'

Take That

A successful English boy band

+

Morrisons

A successful English supermarket

=

A successful TV advert!

Back in 2008, numerous TV adverts were produced containing the very famous song along with some famous faces including Denise Van Outen and Ant & Dec.

I don't know about anyone else but whenever I hear Take That's 'Shine' I always think of my favourite place, Morrisons!

It also reminds me of one of my best friend's mum, who I'm sure is as mad about Take That as I am about Morrisons! She has been to all their concerts numerous times and even has a wall dedicated to a certain member of the band (Guess who?!) - this makes me feel a lot more 'normal' about having had Morrisons Wallpaper & visiting their stores numerous times...agree?

Do you know of anyone else who has a similar hobby to mine? If so, please get in touch with your story. :)

Morrisons Atlas - I have been informed by someone who works at the petrol station at the Chippenham Store that they aren't produced any more :( This is very sad news.

Question: "I have noticed that Morrisons are looking for a new charity to sponsor - does anyone know how to go about recommending one?" 

A big hello to Colin the Butcher at Colwyn Bay who's been in touch this week - do get in touch if you work at a store - especially if I've not visited! 

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'M' DIY

It's been a while since I last posted about the "Morrisons Story" rather than adventures to Morrisons stores.

Back in 2008...

I would say this is when this obsession reached it's peak!  With the carrier bags on the walls of my room, the Morrisons flag being used as a blanket on my bed, the uniform being worn as pjs and the large collection of caps - where else could this go?! 

The end of August...

A time for new school shoes, new uniform and of course ... new stationary.  This particular year I decided to do some DIY...I gathered some old folders and a Morrisons carrier bag to try and create my own M folder.  It turned out pretty well especially with it being reusable - if ever the bag ripped, it could easily be replaced! 

My school bag took a break for a while whilst I replaced it with a Morrisons bag for life, which were relatively new at the time. However, with all the folders and textbooks I had to carry it soon got too heavy so I left the Morrisons bag behind.  At this stage, there was also an idea of using a Morrisons trolley to carry items around the school campus but I decided this would be a step to far!

Here is me in my room with my large collection of Morrisons items including the hand-made 'M folders' - (Yes I did take them to lessons - the looks I got were hilarious!)

Do you know of anyone else who has a similar hobby to mine? If so, please get in touch with your story. :) 

I'm also still waiting for an answer for my question regarding the Morrisons' Atlas - does anyone know if they are still produced?

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Morrisons birthday cakes

My 15th birthday seems like ages ago but I remember it quite well...

It was on a Saturday (6th October 2007) and I had come home from school for the weekend, unfortunately my mum was working so Dad, my sister and I set off on our adventure.  

We managed to visit 3 Morrisons that day - Widnes, Liverpool - Belle Vale and Warrington.  Not the usual way to spend your birthday I know! 

Thanks must go to my dad for this with the help of +Cadbury UK  Mini Rolls! 'Jaz' was also my nickname at the time. 

Even when my Grandad turned 80, we managed to add some Morrisons "M's" and 'Ham Sandwich and Custard tart' to his birthday cake! 

What was your most memorable birthday?  Anyone else ever had a 'Morrisons' themed cake? 

Home for Summer

So June has finally arrived which means exams are done and 2nd year of university is over!  Where has the year gone? 

I am now nearly all unpacked and the mammoth task of washing has started!  I normally do my washing at university but I thought, 'why spend money when I can wait a week and get mum to do it for free?'  There's also the case of the "special" items which need to be hand-washed...

A few weeks ago I wrote about the flag which I use as a blanket.  Mum always knows when I'm home for a while when she see's it pegged on the washing line! (A bit like when the Queen is in residence - I thought I'd adopt the same approach!)

My mum works from home so there is often a question asked as to why we have a Morrisons flag on the washing line!  This usually leads to a shortened version about my crazy hobby.  Its very amusing sitting in the next room listening to their reactions! 

Besides this I still need to decide what to do about my 100th store.  

I've had a lot of feedback from people suggesting which it should be including: the one in Gibraltar - which apparently they have a license in the café to serve alcohol - anyone know if this is true? Another suggestion was Nelson - this was apparently the 100th store they opened.  Bradford was another due to it being the home of Morrisons.  Someone even suggested I should try and 'cut the ribbon' for the opening of one of their new stores - that would be pretty awesome although I don't know how do-able! 

Let me know your thoughts!

Next time: Morrisons birthday cakes! 

Collecting the Uniform

So from receipts to bags...to Uniform? 

As if this hobby couldn't get any stranger, at one stage I started collecting the uniform (will add in here that it was all new!).

At various stores we'd go in and speak to the store manager and after explaining about this interesting hobby, they'd go and see if they had any spare items lying around.  They were always more than happy to help in any way they could.  I remember visiting the store in Malton, the manager was so friendly - she even ended up offering me a job - unfortunately being miles away from home and only 15 at the time it wasn't very practical!  I wonder if the job offer still stands?  Anyone work at Malton Morrisons? 

I eventually ended up with shirts, ties, hats, lots of hats, my own name badge...I think I got a bit carried away.  

By now you're probably thinking, what use is a +Morrisons  uniform to someone who doesn't even work at the store?! 

Well, the caps were brilliant!  I'm afraid to say I did wear them out in public! I did have a picture but can't seem to find it at the moment.  However, the butchers hat never made it out (Thought that was taking it a bit far) I even used the shirts as 'night-wear' - the looks I got from the other boarders were priceless! 

Unfortunately, after having a clear out a few years ago, all I have now is a few hats and the name badge!  Anyone got any spare uniform?  Particularly fond of the green gilets and jackets... 

Carrier Bags for wallpaper...

Over the next 2 years I started getting a bit carried away with this 'hobby' of mine.  

I never really was a fan of the yellowish-creamy colour of the walls in my room at school, and no matter how many posters you put up there was always a gap - this needed sorting!  

Since the +Morrisons flag was permanently on my bed, I thought it was only right that the walls matched as well.  So I stuck up a carrier bag...

This then led to a lot more carrier bags being stuck up, A LOT more!  It even reached the stage where I'd run out of bags so friends would bring in bags to school and say "I went to Morrisons last night and picked you up a bag"!

This shows part of the wall and the ceiling...

One of the 'old' designs

I soon ran out of wall space and began sticking them to the ceiling.  My room mate thought I'd completely lost the plot and I think she was slightly worried.  

Unfortunately the 'ceiling paper' did not last long, as one evening when my house-parent came to say goodnight she said,

"Janine, I can cope with the bags being on the wall (just), but the ceiling?! What if one fell off in the night and you suffocated? I don't want to be responsible for that!"  

So, sadly I had to take them down, I still kept the ones up on the wall though!

Can this get any stranger...?

Morrison's flag!

This is probably one of my treasured possessions, it's sad to say! 

In December 2007, my dad wrote to Mr Morrison asking for one of the flags which are used at their stores as a present for me for Christmas!  

The Reply from Mr Morrison!

By now you're probably thinking - What use is a Morrison's flag to a 15 year old girl? 

What better use for a flag than as a blanket! It spent 5 years at school on my bed - my room was often shown to prospective parents (not sure whether this encouraged them to send their son/daughter to the school or not), I often got some funny looks and occasionally people would ask why there was a Morrison's flag on my bed & where did it come from?  So I'd tell the story and the usual response was "oh, that's different" (with raised eyebrows)!  

Another plus side of the flag was that it came in handy during fire alarms, it always seemed to be the closest thing to grab - I would get many funny looks from the rest of the school who were all either in pjs, dressing gowns or still fully dressed (which I never quite understood at 3am in the morning)!  

It is currently enjoying life at University - it is always a conversation starter when I have friends round to visit! 

The flag in my room at school!

Next post - Carrier bags used for wallpaper? 

The reply from Mr Morrison...

In August 2007 I got the reply from Mr Morrison!

I couldn't believe he'd actually read my letter (See previous blog post), let alone replied! Definitely one of the highlights of my Morrisons journey, although there's been a few others since!

I still have the list of stores he sent me, although it is 6 years out of date now. Came in very handy though for finding the stores before we invested in a Sat Nav.  

Mr Morrison was very kind and even sent me £20 in gift vouchers with the reply - as you can probably imagine, they soon got spent! 

I have had a surprising amount of interest since my first post, it's been great hearing from people who work at Morrisons and have read my blog.  Many people keep asking whether I've visited a store near them, so my next post is going to list all 99 stores that I've visited so far.

The Beginning!

A lot of people have asked what the story is behind this crazy obsession of mine so thought I'd start a blog to tell my story...

2007

My +Morrisons journey first began back in 2007, when I was 14.  Sadly my Nanny was diagnosed with Alzheimer's in 2005.  It soon became clear that the highlight of her day was to visit a café at one of your stores mainly at Cleveleys and Blackpool because her favourite meal was 'Afternoon Tea - Ham Sandwiches and Egg Custards'.  I have very fond memories of this, particularly when my Grandad had to swap the cream scone for Egg Custards - my Nanny was very particular about what she wanted!

Back then, I was at school in Fleetwood and every weekend both Saturday and Sunday my grandparents would collect my sister and I and take us for lunch at Morrisons.  This was a great opportunity to spend time with them and eat some PROPER food (School food wasn't great & as soon as Monday came the countdown would begin until Saturday was around again!)

During the Summer and Easter holidays my family would accompany my grandparents on holiday to one of our favourite destinations, Devon.  Days out were planned out around a trip to a Morrisons, even on the journey we would stop at a Morrisons for lunch - this was usually the one at Bristol Cribbs Causeway.  To make this job easier, before everything became so 'online' we invested in one of the Maps which had a little 'M' symbol which indicated where the Morrisons Stores were.

After accompanying my grandparents so many times, I started thinking 'I wonder how many stores I've been to?' (At the time it was something like 18!) I then thought, 'Wouldn't it be cool to visit every store, of the 368 they then had!' (This has now increased to 400+ making my ambition a lot more difficult, although I am very pleased they are expanding!)

In August 2007, My sister and I wrote a letter to Mr Ken Morrison explaining about our interesting hobby and thus began the journey,


11-08-07

Dear Sir Ken Morrison,

I am writing to tell you about our hobby. It is like no ordinary hobby. My sister and I are at boarding school in +Rossall School, Fleetwood near to where my grandparents live. Every weekend they collect us from school and take us to lunch at your Clevelys or Blackpool branch.

Our hobby started because of my nanny who sadly has Alzheimer’s. The highlight of her day is to visit your café mainly at Clevelys and Blackpool because her favourite meal is the “Afternoon Tea – Ham sandwiches and Egg Custards”. After accompanying her many times this started me thinking that, I would like to visit every single one of your 372 stores and eat in the café if they had one. Recently I have found out that the number of stores has gone down to 368 and we were very disappointed that you had sold your Poole store to Sainsburys! So far, my grandparents and I have been to 33 of your stores and I have started to collect receipts from them. It brightens up our time together and my grandad (who is 80) is always planning trips, which include a trip to a new Morrisons where possible. So far, I have been to:

1. Chester 12. Rhyl 23. Skipton
2. Blackpool 13. Kirkham 24. Bangor
3. Clevelys 14. Bridport 25. Shrewsbury
4. Preston 15. Kendal 26. Weymouth
5. Southport 16. Crewe 27. Ellesmere Port
6. Winsford 17. Morecombe 28. Bodmin
7. Paignton 18. Nantwich * 29. Gloucester
8. Bristol 19. Yeovil 30. Tavistock
9. Totnes 20. Plymouth 31. Tewkesbury
10. Rochdale 21. Congleton * 32. Taunton
11. Haywood 22. West Kirby 33. Tiverton

The ones which have stars by them have no café, which we were very disappointed by and we were wondering whether you could open a café up seeing, as they are very popular at your other stores?

This hobby has become very absorbing to us and we have also become interested in the store layouts, the merchandising and staff, attitude and behaviour. As my grandfather spent most of his working life in the wholesale and retail trade, he has been able to enlighten us about all the aspects of retailing.

Because of our “obsession”, we are wondering if you have facilities at the head office for people like us to come and view your management operations.

I look forward to hearing your observations on our unusual hobby.

Yours sincerely,

Janine and Elise Schofield

(Aged: 14 and 12)