AFTER 95 years of selling stamps, the Post Office in Petersfield Square is earmarked for closure later this year.

But the unexpected closure isn’t likely to happen for about six months says a Post Office spokesman.

Although a final decision hasn’t yet been made, the Post Office can’t make a living from the three story building in The Square – or 36 other similar Post Offices, the spokesman added.

The spokesman added: “We looked at the demographics of the towns, the costs of maintaining the properties and their financial viability, and although I can’t be specific about Petersfield, all 37 are either losing money, or will do in future, they aren’t sustainable.

“We will take time to identify the right partners over the coming months and all proposals will be subject to a six week local consultation.”

The spokesman added that in Petersfield it was almost certain the current Post Office would close.

She added: ”A franchise agreement in Petersfield with a retailer would see services move just yards into a town centre shop. We have done this elsewhere and the system works, so we are taking action now in Petersfield to protect services.”

The Royal Mail building opened in 1922, and it’s thought the postal delivery service will either expand into it, or contract into the Royal Mail warehouses behind it, potentially leaving the building to be redeveloped.

Staff will be offered voluntary redundancy, or re-employment at a post office franchise in a new shared premises in the town centre, said the spokesman.

Post Office has confirmed it will be seeking partners for 37 of its directly managed branches as part of its efforts to secure its services in communities around the UK for the long term.

This latest move to franchise 37 of its directly managed branches, follows the announcement last year it was looking to shed 93 branches, nearly half of which have now successfully relocated into retail stores.

Post Office Sales and Trade Marketing Director Roger Gale said: “The vast majority of Post Offices’ are run with partners, and in the locations announced today (January 10) we believe this will also be a more sustainable approach for the long term.”

With consumer habits changing, and the high cost of maintaining premises in prime high street locations, franchising helps us to keep services where our customers want and need them.

“Post Office has a strong record of supporting people through change and we will be keeping affected staff fully informed as we develop our plans.”