A motion has been passed to oppose the closure or downgrading of a local post office

Barkingside Post Office in High Street is in the process of seeking a franchise partner or shop to take over its premises and either close its post office services entirely or include them in the running of a new partnership.

The plan is part of a bid to make up for £40million in losses, leaving the Post Office on George Lane, South Woodford, the only Crown Post Office in Redbridge.

But councillors backed a motion to oppose the move, which will mean a loss of 800 jobs nationwide, despite the Government claiming it is investing £1.34 billion in the Post Office.

Concern was raised at a council meeting last week about creating “inferior” post offices, with a loss of dedicated special services, trained staff and counters in a bid to cut costs.

Ward Cllr Debbie Kaur-Thiara said: "Barkingside Post Office is under threat, but all is not lost yet.

“We will continue to campaign to save our Crown Post Office and press for service improvements for the benefit of all our residents."

John Howard, Aldborough Labour action team member said: “It is great that councillors are standing up for residents.

“The Tories talk about wanting a better service but even they admit in a recent leaflet that this cannot be achieved by having a few positions at the back of a shop.

“Also recent research shows that the standard of service and accessibility is worse in franchised Post Offices."

The council will now write to the chief executive of the Post Office Ltd to express its opposition.

Over 10,000 post offices in the country are now franchises.