POST offices at Basildon and Laindon are making massive losses according to figures revealed by the postal operator.
 

One of the top bosses at the Post Office said the financial position at both branches “could not continue” prompting their decisions to franchise both sites.
 

However Roger Gale, general manager of the Post Office’s crown network, said his firm are committed to keeping both branches open if no buyers can be found in an attempt to quash fears they could both close.
 

Figures from the Post Office revealed that it costs the firm £1.52 to make every £1 of profit at the Basildon Post Office in East Square in the town centre.
 

And, at the branch at the Laindon Shopping Centre in High Road, Laindon, the situation is worse with the Post Office making a 91p loss for every pound made.
 

Mr Gale said that is why the Post Office is now looking for a retailer to take over the running of both branches but he said neither will close.
 

He said: “It is clear from the reaction that many people really do appreciate and care about their Post Office service.
 

“So do we and that’s why, despite the significant £40m per year losses being made by the Crown Post Office network, we are determined to retain a high street presence for our customers.
 

“Both Basildon and Laindon Crown branches are loss making.
 

“This is public money and therefore this is clearly not a sustainable position.
 

“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 are not closing these branches. We have made a commitment that if no suitable retail partner is found for either branch we will retain a Crown Post Office.
 

“Any new branch would offer the same range of Post Office services and we will not compromise on service offered to customers.”
 

However Garrie Bond, South Essex reprensentative for the Communication Workers Union (CWU) said he feared that any retailer - such as a convenience store or supermarket - that takes over either branch would make the Post Office it’s “secondary business” and therefore the level of postal staff employed and services they provide would be reduced.