Bankers at Close Brothers in London have been plagued in recent weeks by a distraction even more annoying than having no work to do. The bank's new headquarters in London faces a quiet pedestrianised zone just across the road from the Broadgate development. Free from traffic and private security guards, with a slight slope and a few concrete benches, the wide pavement is perfect territory for skateboarders. These boarders are playing a cruel game of Japanese water torture on the staff at Close by roaring up and down just outside their windows, and even using the walls of the Close building as take-off ramps.

One insider moaned that the firm is trying to get the council to ban them, just as they are banned in Broadgate, but for now they skate on...