SHOCK has surrounded the announcement that Andover’s Post Office could be relocated.

The Post Office announced on Thursday last week the Bridge Street branch could be one of 40 stores nationwide to be franchised to WHSmith in 2019, and so move into the High Street outlet, in efforts to make the business more sustainable.

A six-week public consultation is due to follow, but dates for this is yet to be confirmed.

Businesses and town leaders have expressed surprise at the decision proposed for the “always busy” Bridge Street branch.

However, the Post Office cites successful franchise operations in other areas as proof services are maintained.

Andover Liberal Democrat chair Luigi Gregori said: “This is bad news for Andover.

“Given the much smaller size of the WHSmith store, it’s hard to see how this won’t be a serious downgrade to the services available to local people.

“Having lost many rural post office branches over the last 20 years, the one service we could reasonably have expected to be safe is our area’s main Post Office.”

Bridge Street’s Photos 2 Print director Mark Simmonds also pointed out the WHSmith would not be able to put the franchise upstairs due to older customers and lack of disabled access which is available at the current branch.

He added: “What I worry about is yet another empty building.

“It is always busy in there and it does bring customers to our end, Wilko does as well.

“When it’s such a busy Post Office I’m surprised they’re doing that. I can’t see them coping in WHSmith.”

Trading opposite to the Post Office branch, Kathmandu Variety Foods store owner Toy Thapa said they do get customers come for a quick look after visiting the store, and that footfall in Bridge Street will be affected by the move.

Andover’s branch could become one of 135 Post Offices currently operating within the national stationery chain, and it is emphasised a refurbishment and extended hours will be included in the proposal.

North West Hampshire MP Kit Malthouse added: “Post offices provide important services to the local community and people will no doubt have mixed views on the potential relocation.

“We need to of course make sure that post offices can survive for the long term on a sustainable model - and what’s essential is that people still have access to good day-to-day services, in a convenient location, whenever they are needed.”

Other Post Office branches announced in the new franchising proposal include Basingstoke and Reading.

Post Office network and sales director Roger Gale said: “WHSmith and Post Office have worked together successfully for more than a decade and our collaboration helps to secure our services on high streets for years to come.

“The vast majority of the Post Office’s network of 11,500 Post Office branches, large and small, are run on a franchise or agency basis with retailers as part of thriving businesses.

“It makes sense to further expand this successful, sustainable way of providing Post Office services to customers.”

Last week borough council leader Councillor Phil North said one “potential benefit” of the move was making WHSmith more sustainable in High Street.