Street residents are preparing for the closure of WHSmith and the town's main post office counter, with both set to close at 12pm on Saturday, 4 January.

This closure leaves a significant gap in high street services, particularly as WHSmith occupies a large retail space in the high street, backing onto the now-closed Crispin Centre.

A Post Office spokesperson confirmed: "WHSmith, which operates Street Post Office, has decided to close its store on 4 January. The vacancy is advertised on www.runapostoffice.co.uk, and we would welcome interest from local retailers for this business opportunity."

The Post Office counter at West End will remain open, providing some access to postal services, but residents have voiced concerns about the wider impact.

Rita Rogers said: "Not good news at all. I feel for the staff, all absolutely lovely people. Not good at all for Street; losing WHSmith is a big part of the diminishing high street."

Dave Allan highlighted the loss of banking services, stating: "All of us who have already lost our bank branches have to rely on the post office for everyday banking. What on earth are we meant to do now? The local village post offices are slowly closing too."

Mark Tobin described the news as "simply the worst," adding: "Not just for the wonderful team that will lose their jobs and the loss of another service to the local community, some of them vulnerable and not able to travel to other towns or areas, but devastating for Street High Street. I hope a recovery plan can be put in place or another site found on the high street for the post office. They offer so many services, not just as the post office but with the decline of local banks – for many of us, it's our only opportunity for banking services."

The Post Office, which operates separately from WHSmith, has expressed a desire to return to the high street and is seeking local retailers to take on the service.

A staff member added: "WHSmith have decided to close, and that includes the Post Office. It is devastating for all involved. The Post Office as a separate company wants a post office back in the high street, so just wait and see. It has been nice meeting and serving you all over the years."