12yo daughter wants to go shopping

[Salmonfigroll]

My daughter is an innocent 12 year old, just started year 8. Yesterday she asked me if she can go shopping with a friend on Saturday. I am hesitant. Currently she occasionally rides her bike to the local shop to pick something up, and rides her bike to and from school. But I'm not sure if I should just set her free, loose in town on a busy Saturday. The friend she wants to go with has her head screwed on but can be (i think) a bit reckless at times, by this I mean not really thinking about dangers.
Does anyone have any advice. Has anyone got any ideas.
Thanks

[howabout]

Mine does this as do all her friends. We live walking distance to the town and I don't think our roads are safe for cycling on, so it might depend on where you are. She and her slightly older sister do also take the bus to the City centre though.

[BackInTheRealWorld]

My year 6 daughter goes to town with her friends. She has an osper card rather than money...except a couple of quid emergency coins.
They tend to walk into town and get the bus home.
She always keeps her receipts in case she wants to return anything.
It's fine.

[rainbowunicorn]

I don't see a problem with allowing a child of this age to go shopping with a friend. I was going shopping with my own friends by the time I was 11 and my children have had the freedom to do the same.

[JustDanceAddict]

Yes, My son started year 7 last week and went to the shopping centre the first Friday after school. My daughter has also been going since beg of year 7. I would also let her to to Camden now (year 9).