The news that Britain has dropped into its first double-dip recession since the 1970s, makes us want to batten down the hatches. But that’s not the way to economic recovery.

Avoiding the shops will never bring us out of recession: instead, perhaps the time has come to be more patriotic in our product choices. We’re not talking about buying the plethora of junk available for the royal diamond jubilee (an ice cream scoop in the shape of the Queen’s face, anyone?). But we could consciously buy everyday items made in Britain, such as British groceries, clothes and toys. How about celebrating with an all-British corn beef sandwich (Waitrose £1.90) and English wine?

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