THE owners of the Passfield village shop have announced that they will continue to run the store, despite the closure of the post office counter. Husband and wife team, Susan and John Wood will continue to sell newspapers and magazines as well as freshly baked bread and filled bread rolls. There are also new plans for the rest of the shop which could include fresh fruit and vegetables. Mr Wood said: "My wife and I intend to give it the best shot we can for a period of 12 months, and with the support from the local community and businesses located in Passfield, we feel confident that we will be able to make a success of it. "We do, however, rely on local support and a subsidy from EHDC to get things off the ground, but we intend to offer all our customers the best possible service we can give. "We are now looking forward to the change and are quite excited about it". The closure of Passfield Post Office has continued to cause outrage, and is set to hit residents of Hollywater and Whitehill who relied on the nearby service. Local county councillor, Adam Carew said: "I am totally appalled at the decision to close Passfield Post Office – this is a dreadful start to 2008 and a real blow to the people of Passfield and Hollywater". Following the closure of Whitehill Post Office in 2004, the Passfield Post Office had become a lifeline for many people in Walldown Ward and Whitehill. Mr Carew added: "As with the closure of Whitehill Post Office this was a sham consultation from the start. The Post Office have asked local people for their views and then totally ignored them. "The Post Office seems to have already made up its mind in spite of the fact that Passfield Post Office is viable economically. "My deepest sympathy to postmasters John and Sue Wood and all the people at Passfield and Hollywater who will be affected by this outrageous decision". The nearest post offices are now in Lindford and Liphook.
