It is here again. The great British shutdown is upon us.

After five months of cynical exploitation (Christmas cards on sale in August), we embark on a fortnight of indolence and self indulgence.

It started just before Christmas when thousands of workers fled their jobs to travel to Timbuctoo and beyond in the name of Christmas.

Those who did not, spent most of their working hours in pubs or at office parties. Bah, humbug! Scrooge was not all bad.

On December 27, officially the first working day after Christmas, all the offices of Brighton and Hove City Council (apart from parking, tourist and refuse departments) were closed.

There was practically no traffic on the roads and many shops were shut. Those which were open had little fresh stock.

As usual, we shall have to wait until Monday week for things to approach normality but, by then, we shall again be exhorted to start saving for next Christmas in order to make shopkeepers even more wealthy.

-Peter E H Bailey, Beaconsfield Villas, Brighton