A popular fish and chip shop could be forced to close after nearly 100 years in a UK market town. The owner of The Fisheries in Melksham, Wiltshire, warned customers that planned changes to a nearby car park could have a "catastrophic effect" on business.

James Taylor said plans to flatten Lowbourne Car Park, which is regularly used by visitors to the four-star chippie, would be enough to destroy trade and leave him with no choice but to permanently shut up shop. He said: "Ultimately, we'd have to close down.

"A lot of our customers are a little bit older and they wouldn't be able to walk [here] from other car parks in the area," he told the BBC.

Wiltshire Council said Lowbourne was "the lowest-use car park in the town", with just 14 season ticket holders for the 64-space site. The Liberal Democrat-controlled local authority added that work was underway to find "convenient alternative parking options", including through a permit scheme on Unit Street.

The car park demolition will facilitate the construction of 60 affordable flats for retirees as part of a scheme approved by Wiltshire Council last year.

Martin Smith, the council's cabinet member for highways, said: "If Lowbourne Car Park in Melksham does close in the future, existing permit holders will still be able to purchase permits for alternative Wiltshire Council car parks in the town, including Union Street."

Mr Smith said the Union Street proposals would involve a "mixed approach" of permit holder bays and limited-waiting spaces.

The Fisheries, which opened back in 1932, has a 4.2 star Google rating, with recent reviews praising its "fantastic" food and "friendly, helpful staff".

Another happy customer said: "This place does the best fish and chips. I came across it a few years ago and loved it. The fish was so fresh, with crisp batter and the chips were the proper chip shop chips that you can't seem to get anymore.

"Good service and great food. We'll definitely be back again."