Trowbridge Town and Wiltshire Councillor Jeff Osborn said: “People incorporate it in their walk around the town and they have grown up with Knees for years.

“I was shocked. I have been in Trowbridge since 1974 and Knees has been here a lot longer than that. It is a local institution.

“In some ways I can see they want to move with the times and they always complained about parking. I can see why they are doing it but I think it is a bit of a gamble.

"I think they will lose their older clients. I think the younger people will like it being out there because they can incorporate it into looking at other shops, but they will have competition with the likes of Currys.

“My concern is what is going to go in its place. What I can see happening is it being divided up into several shops. I can’t see a big brand name coming in.

“I can understand people going out of town because parking is an issue. I would like cheaper parking in the town.

“I think you could have more sensible parking regime; at least one or two hours free. The trouble is, Wiltshire Council see parking as a cash cow.”