Calne had so far managed to avoid the influx of coffee chains that have altered the landscape of many market town high streets – until now.

The Gazette understands Costa Coffee has plans to move into two units in Phelps Parade.

It is thought CM3 general store will move down one unit and Costa will take its place.

New chamber of commerce chairman Paul Ogden said he would find it difficult to criticise the plans.

He said: “Rumours have been bandied about for months now and, as I understand it, it has been given the green light. I hope Poppins, the other coffee shop in town, keeps its own customers and I think it will.

“And we now have Stones around the corner. If I had the choice of drinking my coffee and looking out over the river or straight at other shops, I know which one I would choose.

“Some people are very angry about this proposal but that is because they feel it has been going on behind closed doors.

“The rumours have been around for four or five months and nothing has been said in public about it.

“As a town we do, however, need to be careful about where things are moving.”

The firm, which already has branches in Chippenham and Devizes, would require planning permission for the change of use of the property. Costa was unavailable for comment when contacted by the Gazette.