AS Waitrose submits its planning application to build in Malmesbury, local traders fear it could be the ‘death knell’ for the High Street.

While many are in favour of either a Waitrose or Sainsbury’s supermarket, many more have expressed their concerns that it will decimate some of the town’s treasured town centre shops.

“This will crucify the High Street,” said John Hall, of Hall’s Bakery.

“There won’t be a High Street left if the supermarkets are approved.

“I don’t think there will be much option for us but to close; it’s very frail at the moment as it is.”

Representatives from Sainsbury’s will meet the public at the town hall on Saturday to discuss amendments to their plans to build on the garden centre site.

A meeting held by the town council to discuss the development will also be held on Tuesday, January 31, in two sittings at 6.30pm and 8pm.

Ben Littman, regional development executive for Sainsbury’s, said: “During our six-month public consultation we developed our plans and made some key changes based on this feedback.

“For instance, after talking to local traders, we reduced the amount of non- food sales floor space from 30 per cent to 12 per cent.

“I believe a balance can be struck between mitigating concern regarding the High Street, while also providing residents from Malmesbury and surrounding villages with the opportunity to carry out a food shop locally.”

Mr Littman met concerned residents at a St Paul Malmesbury Without Parish Council meeting last Thursday where Caroline Appelby, of Foxley Road, said she felt the new supermarket giants would be the ‘final death knell’ for the High Street.

Stan Malpass, who runs a local menswear shop, said: “I would prefer to see a Waitrose because Sains-bury’s would gut the High Street.

“Half of the shops are struggling for survival as it is and I can see it decimating the shops, but Sainsbury’s don’t worry about that.”

Kerrith Soden, manager of Knees department store, which has been in the town since 1962, said: “I don’t want to see either supermarket.

“It would affect us badly. When you have to pay for parking in the High Street and you can’t find a parking space, you are not going to bother coming in.

“Some of the smaller businesses will go first, and when there’s hardly anything in the High Street, people will stop coming to us.”