NEARLY 1,000 people have signed a petition to save a post office.

Helen Wallis said she would feel “absolutely terrible” if the South Woodford post office shuts and is determined to play a part in saving it.

The 33-year-old took to social media to rescue the service and get some momentum behind the campaign.

So far, 946 people have signed the petition started by South Woodford Conservatives.

The Post Office plans to shut the branch and move services to Hoffmans Pride stationers, George Lane. 

Ms Wallis questioned whether the profit-seeking model suited the needs of the community.

She said: “I understand the post office has to be competitive but profit isn’t necessarily the right driver in this area. I would feel absolutely terrible if it shut.

“I feel like this decision got made without consultation with the local community. If there is a consultation I am not sure how well they are engaging with people.

“We bought a home in the area recently and we want to see vital services stay to keep it a community.”

She blasted the alternative offered by The Post Office, criticising the reduction in the size of the service.

Ms Wallis said: “We have heard there might be a counter in another shop on a franchise basis but isn’t good enough. It would be too small.”

With other services in the area under threat, Ms Wallis feels uneasy at the changes in the area she has lived in since 2012.

She said: “It’s an issue that’s really bugging me. It doesn’t feel right. They’re already moving the delivery office to Chingford and the Odeon has been put up for sale.

“Being able to drop off parcels and sort out your passport with the help of a friendly face is so important. It’s a focal point which cuts across everybody.

“I shared the petition on Facebook so local people could see it and to get some momentum.

“If you are a mother walking through town or a pensioner you’re going to use the service. The Post Office must provide help to the local community.”

Despite her frustrations, Ms Wallis has a positive outlook on the campaign’s prospects.

She said: “I am optimistic about saving it. As members of the community we have to try. As the old saying goes, hope for the best, expect the worst.”

The postal firm also announced in August it would go ahead with plans to move its sorting office in Marlborough Road, South Woodford, to its Station Road office in Chingford.

The move was meant to take place on September 25 but was postponed to allow for “further planning.”

A spokeswoman for the Post Office said: "The position regarding this branch is that we are proposing to franchise it.

"The majority of our branches are operated on a franchise or agency basis, alongside retail businesses, and it’s a model that works. 

"We want to ensure our services in South Woodford are sustainable into the future.

"Earlier this year we announced the franchise proposal for South Woodford and held a public consultation, which ended in October. 

"We will announce a final decision in due course."

The spokeswoman added that the same services as now would be available.

Opening hours would be extended to Saturday afternoons and in addition some services would be available from a retail till from 7am to 10pm Monday to Saturday and from 8am to 8pm on Sundays.

Iain Duncan Smith, Conservative MP for Chingford and Woodford Green said: 

“I’ve written to the Post Office seeking commitment to retain this key service for South Woodford as well as campaigning with members of the Post Office Workers Union. 

"At the end October I organised a debate in Parliament calling on the Post Office to reconsider proposals to close the Crown branch in South Woodford.

"Two days before my debate I also met senior Post Office Executives in Parliament to insist that they halt the proposal to close the George Lane Post Office and think again.

"Post offices are part of the chain of essential elements in a high street which, bit by bit, are being removed.  The post office brings people into the community, the high street will therefore suffer as a result of the closures.”

Click here to sign the petition.