Across Bedford town centre, late night Thursday shopping will be kicking off from the 28 November and our indies are no exception with Rogan’s Books and Slide Records opening late on the 28 November.

For ‘Her’ head towards Epanoui and Charisma for beautiful jewellry and and keepsakes.  Whilst in the old Arcade pop into Boutique Planet and newly opened Anorak for clothes and accessories. For those that like to be pampered a gift voucher from Lords and Ladies or The Swan Hotel Spa is always a winner.

Epanoui

For ‘Him’ Boyds of Bedford have some brilliant gift ideas from Bedfordshire Beard Wax to Skull Suddery Soap. Or Beerfly have bespoke ‘Beer Gift Packs’ on offer.

For children you can’t beat a good book and Rogan’s Bookshop have a wide selection of Christmas themed books alongside their normal array of titles. One of Rogan’s recommended this season is a beautiful hardback edition of award-winning local artist David Litchfield’s newest, ‘Lights on Cotton Rock’. Each copy will receive a free signed A5 print David Litchfield has created just for Rogan’s (so an extra present thrown in).

For all book and art lovers the newly located Eagle Bookshop and Gallery is the perfect place to browse – and to make it even more enjoyable they will be hosting poetry readings throughout the festive season. They have some great Christmas classics in stock such as Charles Dickens’ Christmas Stories.

Slide Records will be launching a ‘wishlist’ service  (customers write down the records they would like to receive and they get ticked off by Slide when bought) on the evening of 28 November.  From 5.30 – 9 customers can browse (records and books), create their wishlists all the while enjoying a glass of wine whilst listening to Christmas tunes. Check it out here.

And it wouldn’t be Christmas without a new board game. Head to Ready Steady Roll to browse (and play) their extensive range of board games. Great for the season is a wintery version of ‘Ticket to Ride’. But it’s not all about shopping local, Beerfly, Rogan’s and Ready Steady Roll have teamed together to donate to The Rainforest Trust, promising to protect one acre of rainforest for selected Christmas Gifts.

When names have been ticked off the list and all the presents bought why not end your day with a coffee and homemade cake at Vanilla Tree or after late night shopping a Cocktail in Pen and Cob (The Swan Hotel).