Signs that people are returning to the high street have been popping up across Gloucestershire.

Over the last week bumper festive sales have been reported by many big chains that have branches here.

They include Topps Tiles, Hobbycraft, Games Workshop, Tesco, M&S, Sainsbury's, Majestic Wines, White Stuff and Card Factory.

In contrast online only retailers such as ASOS, Very Group and Notonthehighstreet have all reported a drop in demand. 

It could mark a backlash against web retailers and locally it coincides with news that more of us are stepping out to stores.

Cheltenham's Regent Arcade has reported  an 'excellent' performance in the past year with sales up for many retailers and Five Valleys in Stroud saw more than two million customers pass through the shopping centre in 2022.

Local business experts said there are indications the era of online spending which gripped us for so long may finally be ending.

Steve Gardner-Collins, director of Visit Gloucestershire, said: "I was out earlier this week and the restaurants were really busy.

"There was growth leading into Christmas and most of the feedback across businesses in Gloucestershire is that people were out having Christmas parties and eating and drinking.

"Clearly the high street and retail is still benefiting from people doing more shopping and coming out.

"It has helped them to come into January and February with a bit of cash in the bank."

Clare Vertigen, managing director of the South West Apprenticeship Company at South West Apprenticeship Company Limited, agreed people are out more.

She said: "Buying habits have changed coming out of lockdown. I didn't go out at all over Christmas but the first week of January I went out twice because the restaurants were busy but not too busy and they had deals on.

"I have been stuck doing online shopping for two years and I've really enjoyed the experience of going out and buying things in the shops and trying on partywear."

Looking ahead, Mr Gardner-Collins said the high street should be ready for the usual "lull" after Valentine's Day and the county will "no doubt have a crisis" in March as it prepares for Cheltenham Festival.

He said: "With Brexit we don't have the colleagues in droves like we used to. We have had to get used to recruiting young British people who don't necessarily want to work in hospitality and want to be served rather than serving."

However, the group sales director for Gloucester-based hotel and pub company The Hatton Collection and chair of GFirst LEP, said the hospitality sector in Gloucestershire was in for another good spring and summer.

"It looks to be another bumper cropper year because looking at the books we are already seeing staycations are here with us again.

"People are still not going abroad in the same volumes they were. Maybe it is a cost of living crisis thing."

The thirst to get away in the UK is being capitlaised on by Gloucestershire-based holiday lettings business, StayCotswold.

It has expanded its portfolio and market share and earlier this week reported record trading with year-on-year letting income for the company for the final quarter of 2022 doubling to £1.7million.

Mr Gardner-Collins hopes the positivity will spread. He said: "In 2022 we seemed to get caught up in a wave of crisis and 'what's next'. Maybe in 2023 we will just ride whatever is thrown at us.

"The reality is we get through everything- we are human and British and we will survive."

Punchline says: "There seems to be lots of really good news on the high street.

"We have been out delivering our latest magazine across the county and there are new independent retailers that have popped up everywhere - like The Tetbury Pet Shop that we visited  in Tetbury last week.

"The restaurants are busy and people seem to be really enjoying being back out and sampling all the great businesses our county has to offer."

Catch the full interviews with Steve Gardner- Collins and Clare Vertigen on this weeks E96 Punchline Talks! The Business Breakfast Briefers   show.