Do you own a shop or are considering opening one? Walking through my local town centre a few days ago I noticed another two shops had closed down, including a very well known name. For me this is sad for several reasons. Not only is it a reflection of the tough times retail outlets are facing, but it also represents the shift in spending patterns and types of shops we're increasingly seeing on our high streets.

More and more we're finding either short-term shops, which come along sell low value goods and disappear as quickly as they came, or more permanent shops selling all manner of products at very cheap prices. While those living on a tight budget find these shops invaluable we have to ask ourselves whether they are actually doing more to damage the image of the high street than helping to save it. Are consumers increasingly seeing the high street as as predominantly full of 'cheap' shops which can be found in any town. Are we losing our identities and what makes each town special and unique and therefore our attachment?

Of course the shift started decades ago with the advent of out of town shopping centres. Every shop you could possibly need all under one roof! Planners thought they'd come up with a great idea, but the affect these centres had on towns was huge. However, these large centre have no personality or individuality - much like many town centres ended up.

As we begin 2012, the economic outlook is somewhat mixed depending on which think tank, economist or business owner you talk to. If you are Robert Peston, however, the world is a very gloomy place and we are all doomed!

We can’t get away from the fact there is a level of uncertainty with the economy – just look at the eurozone. That saga will play into the hands of the Euro sceptics who are gleefully saying "I told you so", but as just over 50% of UK trade is with the EU, the future of the Euro and the EU as a whole will have a direct impact on business here at home.

Looking at the current worldwide economy and the various impacts it can have on the UK is another breakfast meeting all together. So let’s look at the situation we find ourselves in at the moment.