CLACTON’S High Street Post Office is set to be closed as part of a national shake-up.

When the planned closure takes place, services will be moved to WHSmith in Pier Avenue.

WHSmith currently runs 135 Post Office branches across the country, with a further 40 set to be relocated to the retail giant in 2019.

Although plans are at an early stage, the move is expected to include Sunday opening times for post office services.

Roger Gale, Post Office sales director, 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.

“We’re continuing to respond to unprecedented change on high streets and in consumer trends.

“By adapting to the needs of customers we’re making sure Post Offices will matter as much tomorrow as they do today, with services available when and where people want them, in convenient locations and open for longer hours, including Sundays.”

Andy Wood, Clacton’s county councillor, fears the restructure could prove to be another blow for town centre trade.

Earlier this year, Marks and Spencer announced it would axe its Pier Avenue store.

It is expected to close for good by the end of November.

Mr Wood said the Post Office has remained a staple of Clacton High Street for as long as he can remember.

“This is a big site in the High Street,” said Mr Wood.

“If the Post Office goes, then what will this site be used for?

“I don’t really see who would be interested - shops are closing everywhere.

“I am very concerned, we are losing a lot of shops.

“I have lived in Clacton all my life and I can’t ever remember the Post Office not being there.

“The sorting office used to be behind it.

“We know WHSmith are struggling themselves, we need a guarantee there will be a site somewhere for the Post Office no matter what.”

WHSmith is expected to be operating more than 200 Post Offices by the end of 2019.

The Clacton move will be subject to a six-week public consultation.

Mr Gale added: “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.”