The Knees family have been warned that their decision to move out of Trowbridge town centre might be a hasty one due to the increase in footfall that development of the former Bowyers site could create.

Wiltshire and Trowbridge Town Councillor John Knight believes the company should have waited until after the outcome of developer Prorsus’ appeal to build a £46m leisure park at the derelict site next to Trowbridge Train Station, before deciding to move.

If the Planning Inspectorate accepts the appeal, which will begin at Trowbridge Civic Centre on January 7, the former food factory would home a Cineworld, Morrisons, six restaurants and a pub.

Even if the appeal were rejected, permission has already been granted for the plans, minus the cinema, by Wiltshire Council.

Cllr Knight said: “Whichever way the inquiry goes there is going to be a development there, which is going to change the footfall to the whole area.

“After all these years it’s not hard to wait another six months to see what happens.”

Others feel the departure of Knees offers an opportunity for more businesses to come to the town centre.

Lance Allan, Trowbridge town clerk, said: “I don’t necessarily think this is a bad thing for Fore Street, as we’ve now filled an empty unit at the Spitfire and have a great chance to welcome more business to the town centre.

“Our big concern is for the staff who might be made redundant due to Knees moving.”