PETERSFIELD Job Centre is set to close at the end of March next year.

The lease on the building is held by the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) and it expires on March 31, and there are no plans to renew it.

Under the DWP proposal, services and staff at the JobCentre Plus in Chapel Street will move to Havant Job Centre in Elmleigh Road.

The Petersfield building is alongside the path from Swan Street car park to Chapel Street, which goes past The Old Drum pub.

It is owned by Webber Holdings, who recently gained planning permission from East Hampshire District Council to demolish part of the building, and convert the rest of it into three shops with six flats above.

A company spokesman said converting the building would improve the area.