Consultation launched over bid to close High Street post office in Clacton

The post office has been earmarked for closure as part of a national shake-up.

Services are expected to move to WHSmith in Pier Avenue from June.

The stationer currently runs 135 Post Office branches across the country.

The Post Office said the branch would operate from a newly-built dedicated open plan area at the back of the WHSmith store.

It would include five serving positions, four open plan positions and one traditional screened position, which will also provide travel money services.

Campaigners from Clacton Labour Party and the Communication Workers Union took to the streets of Clacton with a petition in December and collected more than 500 signatures.

Colin Love, Clacton Labour Party’s trades union liaison officer, said: “Originally the plans were to put the post office upstairs, but we got the fire service involved due to safety concerns.

“Moving it downstairs doesn’t take away the public access issues.

“We are concerned about the logic of it - moving to Pier Avenue where there is nowhere for the public to park.

“There will also be the bigger impact on businesses in High Street, such as the cafes, once the post office goes.”

Roger Gale, Post Office sales director, said the move is part of the “continuing modernisation” of its branch network.

He added: “We believe the most effective way to secure the long-term viability of post office services in Clacton is through a carefully selected retail partner, and we are confident that our proposal is the best way of safeguarding services for the community for years to come.”

Clacton MP Giles Watling said he was contacted by a number of concerned residents when the plans were first mooted last year.

“I encourage local residents to participate in this consultation to ensure their views are heard,” he added.

The consultation is now open and runs until March 13.

To have your say, go to postofficeviews.co.uk or email comments@postoffice.co.uk.