BRISTOL-based property management firm JLL has been appointed as the agent of the Bowyers site and hopes to progress with work swiftly.

Frustration has been growing in Trowbridge due to the lack of development at the site, which has been derelict for 10 years and was last year taken over by Innox Mills, a London-based business consortium of property investors.

But JLL director John Mulholland is positive about the future following the appointment.

He said: “We’re really pleased to have been appointed, the site is a really exciting one which has faced a few challenges in recent years and a development is long overdue.

“We are looking at a mix of commercial and residential use for the land, but it’s still in the early stages so I can’t speculate what retail outlets will be included or how much accommodation there might be.

“Increasing numbers of people want to live in towns now and with the railway line nearby, providing easy access to Bath and Bristol, it really is a fantastic location.

“Trowbridge has been getting better and better over the years and we want to continue that trend.”

A public exhibition is due to take place early in the summer followed by a planning application to Wiltshire Council.

Jonathan Dean, from Innox Mills, said: “Since purchasing the site last year, we have been busy carrying out surveys and speaking to local stakeholders, interest groups and residents about what could happen here.

"While there have been a few delays, feedback has been really positive and we remain on target to submit an application later this year.

“We are still some way away from making any decisions on what the final makeup might be but remain open minded and keen to deliver a mixed-use scheme."

Two years ago supermarket chain Morrisons, and their development partner Prorsus, had intended to redevelop the site into a large supermarket, cinema and six restaurants but the plans became unviable.

When asked if a cinema could be part of the development, Mr Mulholland said it is "an option" and that they are not ruling anything out at this stage.