Regent Street pedestrianised - for a day

Rather than visit Oxford Street, Regent Street and Bond Street on a Saturday in December you could recreate the experience by propping yourself against a lamppost and letting complete strangers pummel you with their elbows for four hours.

But on Saturday 1 December, things will be different. London's most famous shopping streets are being closed to traffic from 10.30am and there will be street entertainment, ice skating and fireworks for VIP (Very Important Pedestrian) Shopping Day.

Of course, the elbows will still be in evidence, and the screaming kids, and the agony of choice - but at least you can be pushed off the pavement without worrying about being run over.

Christmas shopping can never be said to represent retail therapy in its purest form - but this welcome nod to foot-power should at least reduce some of the stress.

West End VIP Car Free Day, 1 December

Bond Street, Oxford Street and Regent Street closed to traffic from 10.30am.

Roads stay closed until 8pm, and shops stay open until 9pm.

Call 020 7462 0680 for more information.