THE Post Office is pushing ahead with plans to close its branch in an historic building in Aberystwyth and relocate it to a town-centre shop, despite large-scale protests.

The company has launched a consultation into the plans which will see the branch in Great Darkgate Street closed and a new branch set up at WH Smith on Terrace Road.

The announcement comes despite a petition of over 3,000 signatures and street protests against the plans - first mooted earlier this year.

The company wants the new branch up and running by November.

A Save Aberystwyth Post Office Campaign was established after the plans to close the building were first revealed and a public meeting condemned the plans.

Ceredigion MP Mark Williams said: “Aberystwyth Post Office has been an important part of the town centre for over 100 years and is relied on by many local businesses and people.

“To lose such an essential service from such an important location would be a tragedy.”

Roger Gale, general manager of the Post Office Crown Network, said the move “would help secure long-term viability of services for local customers”, but the company has refused to say if the current branch is losing money or how much.

See this week’s south editions for the full story, in shops and online now