The early bird, as it turns out, doesn't always catch the worm. Seems the worm's gone into hibernation, as the poor turn out to the West End's 7am start last week testifies; who wants champagne in the morning? Unless you're a latent Ab Fab fanatic, save the boozing and bargains for night.

Head down to Columbia Road tonight for the first in their Christmas Wednesday series; 40 independent shops which usually only open alongside the Sunday Flower Market will be throwing open their doors between 5 and 9pm, including UJ favourites Ryantown and Supernice.

And whilst late Thursdays aren't news down Oxford Street, they are elsewhere. Marylebone Lane is open between 4 and 8pm tomorrow, with a live brass band and 30% off at KJ's Laundry; Cheshire Street, home to Ella Doran, Labour and Wait, Shelf, Dragana Perisic and Mar Mar Co is staying up until 10pm; whilst the Shoreditch triangle is promising a night of festive cheer between 6 and 8pm with stores including SCP, Start, Murdock, No-One and Hoxton Boutique offering

TODAY'S EVENT PICKS

Clash End of Year Review. 7:30pm - 1am, Proud Camden, The Horse Hospital, Chalk Farm Road, NW1. £10.

Author of Medical London, Richard Barnett, in conversation. 7pm, Daunt Books, 83 Marylebone High Street, W1U, £5.

A nonclassical Battle of the Bands. 8pm - 1am, The Macbeth, 70 Hoxton Street, N1. £5.

Challenge Strictly at Miss High Leg Kick's School of Dance. 7:30pm, Barbican, Silk Street, EC2Y. £10.