Not since the death of Princess Diana has there been such an outpouring of emotion. We haven’t quite seen piles of flowers piling up outside its doors and a tribute song by Sir Elton, but the way things are going, it might not be long.

Yes, the demise of Woolworths - now to be referred to as “the people’s store” - appears to have touched a chord with shoppers whose shock at the news that they might be deprived of the chance to buy a bag of pick 'n' mix (which always comes out much more expensive than you thought when you are filling the bag) represents some kind of tragic retail tsunami.

While I have not been quite so moved and have rather presumed life is likely to continue broadly as it did before should the company indeed collapse, I must admit the plight of Woolworths does have a kind of emotional tug that frankly I can never see being triggered if say, Tesco, got into similar problems.

I popped into my local high street branch at the weekend and it was rammed with people who might not have been wearing black arm bands but appeared determined to get their fix of its idiosyncratic mix of cheese graters, wooden coat-hangers and Spider-Man outfits before the administrators swooped and pulled down the shutters.

The aisles were crowded with customers who, you fancy, would probably not take much persuading to join a march on Westminster to press the country’s leaders that they must do something. Who knows? I might even join them.

I confined myself to buying a couple of light bulbs and as usual, when I got home one had broken already. Rather tellingly, I couldn’t bring myself to return to the store and demand a replacement. It would have been like kicking a man when he’s down. I can’t ever remember forfeiting my consumer rights in a gesture of solidarity for a shop before, but the economic downturn is inducing people to behave in strange ways.

The only conundrum I face is what to do with a broken 60-watt bulb - a soft tone at that, too. I just can’t throw it away. Perhaps I shall keep it as a memento and in its way, it would be rather appropriate one as the lights go out over one of our favourite shops...