Protestors are planning to hold a “Valentine’s Day Massacre” pseudo-memorial service as their local post office in New Cross Gate closes.

The Post Office announced in January last year that the New Cross Gate office would be closed and be relocated to the One Stop shop 110 metres away on a franchise basis.

Despite numerous protests, including a petition to save the post office with well over 1,000 signatures, the plans to shut it have continued regardless.

Now protestors are planning to gather outside the post office ahead of its closure for a memorial service including eulogies to its passing.

Called the “Valentine’s Day Post Office Massacre” as penultimate day will be February 14 with the new one opening the next day, people are asked to dress in black mourning gear for the service.

Gathering on February 10 rather than the 14th, a book of condolences has already been prepared for the mourning.

Karen Powell wrote: “My local Post Office for 20 years. Never had to leave without getting everything sorted that I went there for - often with great advice thrown into the mix. The staff and the community deserve better than this. Sad day.”

Laura Wood wrote: “So many memories - the post office queue at Christmas, getting my passport application checked, getting veg from the stall that used to be in the plaza, and the fantastic responses from local folks when collecting petitions to save the post office.”

Local politicians, including MP Vicky Foxcroft, have been outspoken in the past about the negative impact of closing the New Cross Gate Post Office.

She said: “Over the past four years the Post Office has been implementing a series of significant cost-cutting measures with closures, franchising, job losses and cuts to staff terms and conditions.

“We are currently seeing this right here in Lewisham Deptford at New Cross Gate Post Office.”

The Post Office said the new branch will have longer opening hours and offer the same services as it does now.

Roger Gale, Post Office Sales and Trade Marketing Director, said: “We are taking the right action to sustain services for years to come.”