President of Trowbridge Chamber of Commerce Colin Kay said many people will be upset at the news because Knees is iconic in the town.

He said: “It was a surprise and it would seem disappointing that a family business that has been here for so long in the town centre has moved. But we have to understand why they are moving and it may not be entirely bad news.

“I think car parking is the key issue. Parking at Spitfire Retail Park is free, Knees has no free adjacent car parking and they feel it is a big issue for them.

“We have been campaigning for some time because we think Wiltshire Council has got it wrong. Having a one size fits all policy across the town doesn’t work.

“There are lots of different ideas on how to bring down the costs of car parking. The town council has been proactive.

"They have suggested Wiltshire Council is not the right people to run the car parking. The local town council should be the people to do that and using any profit to put back into the development of the town.

“It will depend on what happens to their (Knee’s) stores and I understand there is a lot of interest in them. It may be an opportunity. One door closes and another one opens.

“Trowbridge is changing. We have a cinema and we will have a range of restaurants. I hope in the future we will have a sports and leisure facility in the town.

“Town centres and high streets are changing but we have to make sure Trowbridge remains an attractive place to come shopping.”