One of Chippenham’s biggest businesses has confirmed it is planning to move its warehouse out of town.

Herman Miller, which makes luxury office furniture, has its international headquarters at Methuen Park, which will not be moving.

However, the warehouse and assembly plant at Littlefields Estate is likely to be relocated to Melksham.

The announcement comes just weeks after large-scale employer DTR-VMS also confirmed that it will leave Chippenham for new premises in Trowbridge.

A spokesman said: “Herman Miller intends to expand its UK operations and R&D presence in the west country, further cementing our position in Wiltshire, and investment in the UK. We are looking at a number of potential sites, of which Christie Miller [in Melksham] is one. All sites explored are developable land sites as called for in Wiltshire Council’s core strategy. Two current UK facilities will be consolidated to accommodate the move – our factory on Locksbrook Road, Bath and our logistics centre on Little-fields Estate, Chippenham. “The expansion will secure 150 jobs, these being a combination of existing roles and new hires. Our international HQ, VillageGreen at Methuen Park, will be unaffected.”

Wessex Chamber of Comm-erce president Rob Perks said the move is a blow to the town.

“I am not aware that, as yet, anything has been confirmed,” Mr Perks said.

“However, I do know that the company has been considering a move for some time, but was unable to find anything appropriate in Chippenham. There is a desperate shortage of employment land here, which is why we need the Showell Farm development to be ready for businesses as soon as possible.”

Mr Perks said those protesting against new buildings for employment in the town are damaging trade.

“People who are campaigning against all developments of this nature for minor personal gain must see what is going on here. Companies will end up moving on if they can’t find suitable premises here,” he said.