DESPITE significant opposition and continued long queues, Witney’s crown post office will shut its doors for the final time today.

Postal services will move to WH Smith in the Woolgate Centre tomorrow but many people still have misgivings about the change.

No doubt many readers will have found themselves forming the tail end of a snaking queue out of the door at the current premises into Market Square and wonder how so many people will ever fit into WH Smith, which, until now, has been notorious for its cramped aisles.

Of course, the Post Office, like many other companies, has to adapt to changing times and the advent of digital communications means fewer letters are sent these days.

It believes that by combining postal and retail services, it will save money through efficiency.

But to a large proportion of the community the service remains essential. It is the main place to collect pensions, buy stamps and post parcels.

If it isn’t needed, then why are so many people queuing to use it?

There remain concerns about access in the new premises, especially for the disabled. Will wheelchair users be able to navigate their way through the store easily?

We shall have to wait and see how the change works out but given the groundswell of opinion against the move in the first place, we have no doubt the people of Witney will not hesitate to make their views known if standards of service slip.