This is the slightly eerie picture of The Parade in Sutton Coldfield at 7.30pm on December 16, virtually devoid of revellers just a week before Christmas.

There’s little sign of the festive season and the Christmas lights and decorations looking slightly out of place in the deserted street.

The place would normally be packed with works Christmas party-goers, but it would appear people have voted with their feet to avoid the Omicron virus.

While many of the pubs and restaurants had people on their premises, they were far from full and most had emptied by around 9pm.

Maybe people are saving cash or waiting to get further news of the virus and its spread, but its clear that yet again hospitality is suffering more than any other sector and prosperous Sutton Coldfield is no exception.