With music retailer, HMV, calling in the administrators just days after Christmas, are we heading for another challenging year on the high street?

2018 was a tough year for town centres, with some chains vanishing altogether, others being saved at the 11th hour and many of them closing unprofitable stores.

The fall of HMV, which has stores in Cheltenham and Gloucester, shows there is likely to be no let-up to tough high street trading conditions in 2019.

Punchline says: "With the continued competition from the likes of Amazon, rising business rates, falling consumer confidence and Brexit uncertainty, the future doesn't look bright for the high street in 2019. Add to that the annual curb in consumer spending in January and February, as shoppers recover from Christmas and sales spending, and we predict a blood bath on the high street over the next couple of months.

"If you value your high street, make it your mission to use it before it's too late."