A new Woolworth-look-alike store may have been beaten to the punch to open a shop in Chippenham by cut price specialists Poundland, much to the disgust of the town’s chamber of commerce.

Alworths, which begins opening stores next month under the guidance of former Woolworths Head of Store Concessions and Development Andy Latham, is looking at reusing the larger Woolworth’s stores which are still empty.

Although the company could not say for certain it would have come to Chippenham, it did say the empty store on the High Street met all the criteria that it would be looking for.

But any future plan could be scuppered after negotiations began with Eagle One, which owns the empty store, and Poundland, which wants only part of the empty store.

Bob Perks, vice president of the Chippenham Chamber of Commerce, has said the last thing the town needs is another pound shop and the chamber will be lobbying for Alworths to win the contract.

He said: “This is a flagship location on the High Street and Poundland would not set the right tone for the town and we already have one similar shop in Borough Parade that caters for the people who would use it.

“Although there is a limit to what the chamber can do because it is a commercial negotiation, we will be contact with the landlord in the next few days to express our concern and try to give our support to Alworths.

“From my understanding Alworths is very interested in the Chippenham store because of its location and size. But Poundland only wants part of the store, so I don’t think Alworths would be interested.”

A spokesman for the newly- formed Alworths said it could not confirm any plans at this stage but said it aims to open 22 stores within the next year.