They also compare what has happened to the BHS estate to that of one of the other big retail casualties of the last decade, Woolworths, and consider the implications for department store property trends in the future.

While the demise of BHS a year ago today has left a hole in some high streets, other retailers have stepped into the breach and seized the chance to expand.

In many cases, the arrival of new retailers has bolstered the appeal of the town centres concerned and there has been demand for the properties in all sorts of locations.

Elsewhere, however, the departure of BHS has been another blow for some hard-pressed town centres where the number of voids is adding up.

So far, 69 of the 164 former BHS branches have attracted new tenants – often to value retailers such as Primark and Poundworld, but including a first high street branch for Arcadia’s Outfit fascia.

Soult said: “We’ve seen new retailers start to take advantage of the opportunity.”

De Mello said: “Where it [BHS] has been re-let it’s definitely improved the vitality of the high street.”