Post Office workers are bracing themselves for bad news as they wait to discover whether their branch will close.

Eight people are based at the main Hampton Place post office in Western Road, Brighton, which has been earmarked for possible closure.

A decision is expected shortly when the results of a public consultation on the plan and its impact on people living nearby are studied.

If Post Office Ltd decides to shut the branch, workers are expected to either move to another branch in the city or take voluntary redundancy.

A Post Office spokesman said: "In the past when we have had similar cases to this, we have had a very good history of no forced redundancies and have managed to move staff to other locations."

People living nearby have criticised the plans, saying it would mean longer journeys for the elderly and parents with young children.

In a letter sent to Hampton Place customers, Post Office head of area Kevin Ray said there was pressure to ensure all branches used resources properly and that customers had easy access to products and services.

He said: "Due to the high density of post office branches in this vicinity, we have undertaken a complete review of this and other branches in the area and have concluded we can continue to provide an acceptable level of service with fewer branches.

"As a result, we now have to consider closing this branch."

The Post Office intends to invest £1.4 million in its branch in Ship Street, Brighton.

The branch will be modernised and redeveloped to make it easier for disabled people to visit.

But the announcement that 19 sub-post offices in Brighton, Hove, Portslade and Southwick face the axe has angered residents, councillors and MPs.

They say it will make it more difficult for many people living outside the city centre to get the post office services they need.

If the decision to close Hampton Place goes ahead, the branch is expected to shut in February next year.

Wednesday December 17, 2003