Fashion retailer Joules has reported a 58 per cent fall in total store sales for the seven-week period which includes Christmas.

The retailer, which has stores in Cheltenham, Gloucester Quays and Cirencester, has warned of a hit of up to £18 million pounds if the new Covid-19 curbs continue through to April, as reported by Reuters.

But retail sales through its websites - including through the Friends of Joules digital marketplace - were up 66 per cent year-on-year, as more customers took to online purchases during the pandemic.