Managers and staff have branded the possible closure a 'shame' and a 'tragedy', with some eager to start petitions against the government's decision.

Some companies are worried closing the post office would mean a reduced number of customers entering their stores.

"It just should not happen – the post office is always busy," said Mark Smith, manager of Whitbys Imaging Centre.

"This will stop customer flow. We've already had disruptions from the development work down the road, which has been going on for the past two years.

"The post office is going to be taken away because someone has decided it isn't making enough money – it's ridiculous."

Whitbys is thinking of running a petition to show the government how much the community needs the post office.

Scott Blackhall, assistant manager at the company, said: "The staff at the post office are very friendly and it's a service you wouldn't get anywhere else.

"Elderly folk need someone they can deal with face-to-face."
Further down Sadlers Walk is the Chives Cafe, which operates close to the post office.

"I think it's a tragedy for Sadlers Walk," said Karen Alder, manager of the cafe.

"Most of the time you can never get in there because it's so busy. The post office down the road could be an alternative but it's harder for elderly people to get to."

The post office closures would leave Chichester city centre with only one main office in West Street.

Jan Baker, of Chichester Cookshop, Sadlers Walk, said: "If I were at the post office I would have been devastated. There's not a lot that can be done – it happened so quickly.

"I think it's a big shame for all the post offices. This will obviously make a difference to the people who come and look at the shop.

"The post office is ideal for local people."