Fashion giant TK MAXX looks likely to be the next big name to move to Trowbridge.

The company has applied to Wiltshire Council for planning permission to open at the Spitfire Retail Park, in the vacant former Harveys unit, just as the town’s long established department store HJ Knee moves its business next door.

HJ Knee is leaving Fore Street, in Trowbridge town centre, after 130 years and is opening its new venture at 10am on Friday.

Despite plans being submitted to the council TK MAXX is keeping tight-lipped about its intentions.

A company spokesman said: “We don’t announce anything about new stores until we’ve received confirmation from appropriate bodies.”

The council expects to make a decision on the plans by April 21.

Colin Kay, Trowbridge Chamber of Commerce president, thinks the clothing store would be a welcome addition.

He said: “They are a well-known name and a lot of people like them.

"There’s been rumours of them coming to Trowbridge for a long time and it is pleasing to think they want to retail here.”

The new HJ Knee new store, in the former Comet shop, will specialise in electrical goods, furniture and homeware.

The retailer downsized as it prepared for the move, closing its electrical store and partially closing its department store, which will remain open while selling discontinued and clearance stock.

Peppers Hair and Beauty Salon will continue in the department store until the building closes.

Retail director Ian Vidler said: “Preparations are going well and everyone is excited to open the new store.

"If we hadn’t made this move when we may have stopped retailing, due to a noticable change in the market, whereas this exciting venture will assure our future for the next 20 or 30 years.”

Knees is working with property consultant Sanderson Weatherall to find tenants for the stores it is vacating.

The company plans to hold activities to officially mark its move over Easter.

Managing director Marcus Holbrow said: “We’d still like to be in the town centre but it became obvious to us that this move was needed to help our business progress.”

As part of its move HJ Knee cut its staff of 50 by making 15 redundancies.