THERE was shock, anger and sadness among shoppers in Petersfield at news the Post Office in The Square is to close.

They all saw it as a much-loved and well-used institution and an important part of the town’s history.

It was also seen as a cynical, money-making move which was damaging Petersfield as a community.

The announcement came on Tuesday, January 10, with the Post Office pledging to seek partners, including retail stores, to keep it’s services present and easily accessible in the town.

There will be a public consultation process over the coming months.

Petersfield resident James Budden, who was chanting “don’t close our Post Office” outside the three story building, said: “I think it’s terrible. It’s part of the social fabric of the town. I am going to complain to the Post Office.

"I have been coming here since I was a lad 60 years ago and I rely on it for things like my state pension every week.”

Mark Hanks, also from Petersfield, whose wife used to work on the counter there, said: “This Post Office is part of our heritage. We’ve had a Post Office here for years. It’s totally unnecessary to close it. It’s all about profit only but it should be a service.”

Kirsty Maccallum, who was out shopping with her two-year-old son Charlie Brown, is assistant manager, about to become manager, at The George, next to the Post Office.

“It’s a real shame. It’s a local institution and closing it will make it much harder for people. I use it all the time as I have family all over the world. It’s a lovely building too.”

Disbelief was the reaction of Percy Critchett, who is from Portsmouth, but visits Petersfield regularly.

“It’s so much part of Petersfield. When you think of Petersfield your image is of the Post Office in The Square. It’s at the heart of the town and it will really suffer if it disappears. The Post Office is just trying to make more money which is a disease running through our society. I’m really peeved.”