Campaigners who have spent the past year fighting plans to relocate a Crown post office have been left feeling “extremely disappointed” after the controversial move was confirmed.

Clive Tickner of the Communications Workers Union (CWU) said he felt “absolutely choked” when the Post Office confirmed its branch in Walthamstow High Street will move to Hoe Street in September to be run as a franchise.

In January 2017, the Post Office announced it would close and franchise 37 flagship Crown offices, including two in Waltham Forest.

But in June this year, it backtracked on its plans to relocate the office in George Lane, South Woodford.

However, it is pushing through with its plans for Walthamstow despite opposition from concerned residents and MP Stella Creasy.

When asked how he felt when he heard the news, Mr Tickner, secretary of the London Seventh Branch of the CWU which covers east London and the City, said: “Absolutely choked.”

He added: “We are extremely disappointed.

“The worst thing is you’re going to lose the vast majority of the experienced staff and then the service is going to be nowhere near as good.

“On previous occasions when offices have been franchised out, the service has deteriorated.

“We had hoped to get the Post Office to change their mind and not go down the franchise route. The only reason for this is pure financial dogma.

“There are concerns about room, the service and disabled access.

“I think they (the Post Office) have ignored the stakeholders, the elderly groups, the local MP and the local trade union. We are very thankful for Stella’s support.

“There’s nothing we can do really.”

On Wednesday September 5, the post office will close at 5.30pm. The following morning, it will reopen at 9am at Foster Food and Wine in Hoe Street.

A spokesman for the Post Office said: “Following a public consultation, a decision has been made to relocate Walthamstow Central Post Office in order to safeguard services for the local community, not just for today’s customers but for tomorrow’s too.”

He added: “The branch will offer the same wide range of products and will be open seven days a week, offering a total of 59.5 extra opening hours a week.”