Rumours and speculation (and a little jesting) continue over just what will happen to Cirencester's former flagship House of Fraser.

The department store shut up shop in January as the true struggle going on to keep the household name alive came to light.

Speculation on social media has seen the name of the discount retailer B&M raise its head more than once, and so Punchline popped the question to the company itself.

"We open about 50 stores a year currently. Cirencester is not on our list currently," said a spokesperson for B&M, who added that Weston-super-Mare was the closest.

She added: "But never say never."

According to the district council the owners of the site have confirmed plans to re-let the site in Market Place in the heart of the town for retail use.

The council said it was not aware of any talks underway with regard to new owners or other developments and there was no reason it should be involved at an early stage.

"One wag on Facebook apparently suggest it would be taken over by Pound Stretcher and M&S combined - and be calling itself Stretch Marks," said one amused commentator.