It is not just Eurostar and the London bus network that have been almost grinding to a halt this week, as heavy snowfall blanketed the city. London-based traders and investors are also showing signs of shutting up shop, with trading volumes markedly down in the week leading up to Christmas.

The value of FTSE 100 shares traded on the London Stock Exchange halved to €2.4bn on Monday, compared to a daily average of €3.9bn for the 14 previous trading days in December, according to data provided by Thomson Reuters.