THE COUNCIL has announced it will be closing the first of three Waltham Forest Direct shops this week.

The closure of the advice and help centre in High Road Leyton this Friday August 12, will be followed by the Chingford branch in Hall Lane, on Friday August 26.

And on Wednesday August 31, the High Road Leytonstone shop will shut.

The only branch left in the borough will be in Hoe Street, Walthamstow, which will change its name to the Customer Service Centre.

In May, Cabinet councillors rubber stamped the plans to close the help centres, as part of savings cuts.

Unions have expressed fears that the buildings will lay empty and be a "blight" on high streets, but the council insisted it was working on alternative uses, however no plans have yet been revealed.

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