RESIDENTS in Jaywick are calling for a post office to stay at its current location.

Jaywick and Tudor Residents’ Association has collected more than 600 signatures on a petition calling for a post office to remain in Golf Green Road.

The Post Office has put forward plans to move the branch to McColl’s in Tudor Parade.

Association secretary Gill Elkins said 90 per cent of the community did not want the move.

“I think that if the post office was moved to its own shop there would be less animosity,” she said.

“The main concerns are the lack of privacy when doing any transaction and the amount you are able to withdraw in one transaction.

“There is also concern about security with the opening hours.”

Mrs Elkins said car parking at Tudor Parade is limited, with spaces shared by two takeaways, an estate agent and a betting shop.

“It seems illogical to move the post office from its current location where most people are happy with it,” she added.

A spokesman for the Post Office said: “We are looking to relocate the post office in Golf Green Road, as the current branch has been operated on a temporary basis for some time.

“The Post Office is committed to maintaining a post office service to the community and we have been looking for a new operator with suitable premises to take over the service on a permanent basis.

“With temporary run post offices there is the danger that a branch could close at very short notice.”

A public consultation into the proposed move ended this week.