FARNHAM Post Office in West Street is set to close despite strong opposition, it has been confirmed.

A proposed relocation of the branch to the WHSmith store in The Borough was announced last October, with a six-week public consultation ending on March 6.

But despite residents and civic representatives expressing widespread concern at the move – and in particular the poor accessibility of the proposed branch – the Post Office has taken the decision to go ahead with its move.

The Post Office prompted uproar in March after advertising a number of roles at the new branch “when it opens in May”, before making a final decision.

The new branch will be operated by WHSmith and will open at 8.30am on Thursday, June 13.

There will be five serving positions and four self-service kiosks. Services will be available seven days a week; from 8.30am to 6pm Monday to Saturday and 10.30am to 2.30pm on Sundays, amounting to 61 hours of Post Office service a week – an increase on the current service.

The one service not carried over to the new branch will be a cash machine.

Roger Gale, Post Office network and sales director, said the change would help to ensure the branch is commercially viable into the future.

He said: “The Post Office is committed to keeping our services at the heart of communities which we know is hugely important to people. This change means we can continue to do that, into the future.

“We are making sure we take the right action to sustain services for years to come.”

The current Farnham Post Office in West Street will close at 5.30pm on Wednesday, June 12.

WHSmith has not yet confirmed how many of the branch’s nine employees will be retained.