Post Office staff called for support from members of the public as they went on strike in a dispute over branch closures in East Finchley and Potters Bar.

Protesters gathered outside the branch in Darkes Lane, Potters Bar on Saturday to make their stand against the national postal chain’s plans to franchise the Post Offices to save money.

The Post Office says it needs to make the changes by April 2015 in a bid to “modernise and turnaround” the Crown Network which is currently operating at a £40m loss per annum.

But the possible private retail merger, which also threatens 68 Post Offices nationwide, could mean the individual branches will have to relocate.

Communication Workers Union (CWU) organised strike action up and down the country in a desperate attempt to retain jobs and services.

Dave Smith, CWU member for Potters Bar said: “Despite the freezing cold and snowflakes fluttering around us we had a lot of support from the general public.

“We also spoke to local traders because it’s a known fact if the Post Office goes, trade will drop because people will stop coming to that part of town. Ultimately we want to save jobs.

“Even if the Post Office is franchised it won’t have the full range of services the Crown Post Office has, and there’s no guarantee if that business takes a downturn that the Post Office will survive.”

The campaigners also collected 100 signatures from people hopeful their Post Office can be saved.

The Potters Bar branch has nine counter staff and one manager and the East Finchley branch in High Road has seven counter staff and one manager.

A spokesman for the Post Office said: “The CWU is ignoring the harsh commercial realities being faced by the Post Office and other retailers across the UK. 

“By partnering with a retailer at some point between now and the spring of 2015, Post Office can ensure that an accessible and high quality service continues to be available to our customers. 

“We have made a commitment that if no suitable retail partners are found for either branch we will retain a Crown Post Office branch in East Finchley and Potters Bar. Any new branch in either area would offer the same range of Post Office services and we will not compromise on service offered to customers.”

But Mr Smith said this will not be the end of the CWU’s strike action – although he hopes they can work with the Post Office to reach a sustainable solution.