We have had a tumbleweed economy for weeks, with shuttered shops, deserted town centres and a public made fearful of venturing beyond its front doors.

Hanging lanterns lent a soft yellow glow to dark shuttered shops.

Across the street, the beggars were also napping on the steps of shuttered shops.

I drove down empty streets lined by shuttered shops, glimpsing a few joggers and cyclists taking advantage of the time off and the warm spring sun.

Picture this: shuttered shops, an air of decay and unease usually associated with a windswept, failing inner-city shopping precinct in the shadow of a tower block.