The large Woolworths store that once dominated east end of Princes street in Edinburgh has a particular sentimental resonance for me. I remember being bought toys from the first floor and seeing a lava lamp for the first time. It was also the first store that I got lost in. It was a winter’s day and my mum was wearing a hat. I got separated from her somehow, most likely I wasn’t paying attention. Anyway I saw the hat behind some shelves so I chased after it, only to find someone else with the same hat. A member of staff spotted me and took me to a rendezvous point where my mum was waiting.

The second floor of Woolies was a restaurant which was themed with Clan tartans. Although I can only remember being in the restaurant a few times it has a very special place in my personal history as it was in the restaurant that my mum and dad met each other. One of them asked the other for a light for a cigarette, how times have changed.

As I took a last turn round the floor of the Shawlands branch I felt very detached from the scrabble going on around me. There was nothing that I needed to buy so desperately that I would be willing to wait in the long queue.

The phrase ” a queue like an execution” has never seemed more appropriate.