CAMPAIGNERS, who unsuccessfully fought to keep a South Woodford Post Office open, say news that a branch will be refurbished nearby is like “rubbing salt in the wound.”

The Post Office in South Woodford High Road was last year closed by the Royal Mail, despite a three-month Guardian campaign and fierce opposition from residents during a six-week consultation period.

But while news of an upcoming refurbishment at the George Lane Crown Post Office would normally be well-received by residents, campaigners say the money would have been better spent on keeping their branch open.

Former Post Master Zahid Mamood has been unemployed since his Post Office became one of 169 across the capital to be scrapped in a Government initiative.

The father-of-four said: “I still own the property and every time I go there people tell me how badly they need the Post Office and how long they have to wait at George Lane.

“A woman wants to turn it into a beauty salon, but we don't need a beauty salon, we need a Post Office.

“It doesn't make sense to take one Post Office away and then pump money into another one.

“Priority should have been given to keep the Post Office and not to refurbish George Lane.

“It's like rubbing salt in the wound – I just feel gutted.”

Frank Cruder, of Chelmsford Road, who was at the forefront of the campaign against closure, said: “It's just such a shame as George Lane is a long way to go for some people here and the only other place is Woodford Green, and not everybody wants to go there.

“One of my original points was that they're building all these extra homes around here but now there's no infrastructure to support it.

“It's annoying that they didn't just listen to us in the first place.”

Spokeswoman for Royal Mail Sally Hopkins said: “Post Office operates in extremely competitive markets and it is vital that our retail outlets offer an attractive and bright environment in order to retain and attract customers.”

Speaking of the closure of the High Road branch, she added: “The changes were delivered across the UK on an area by area basis following a detailed pre-public consultation planning stage and a six-week period of local public consultation on the proposed changes."

Refurbishments are set to start at George Lane on August 7 and be completed in September.

The Post Office will remain open during this time.