Property consultant Carter Jonas believe the right tenant at HJ Knee could complement the regeneration of Trowbridge.

Colin Scraga partner at the company, based in Bath, thinks the opportunity to modernise the Knees sites could benefit the town, which has recently welcomed a new £17m cinema complex and a new civic centre, while plans are also in place to develop the former Bowyers factory.

The company is not involved with finding future occupants for the department store or the electrical shop, in Fore Street, but Mr Scragg said there were a variety of options available.

He said: “Knees’ decision to move out of Trowbridge town centre releases a significant parcel of prime located property.

“While many will bemoan Knees’ loss from the town centre, there is clearly a huge opportunity to undertake a comprehensive redevelopment within the centre of our county town.

“The site could potentially become mixed use.

“With a combination of retail, residential and commercial there could be options to replace the existing department store in Fore Street or refurbish the building and let it to a major retailer or create a variety of retail unit sizes.”

Carter Jonas feels that due to the new developments in Trowbridge, many businesses would be interested in coming to the town and taking over Knees’ premises.