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7 shops which have come and gone at Bluewater

00:01, 15 March 2019

updated: 09:10, 15 March 2019

Many stores have come and gone at Bluewater over the 20 years its been open.

Several high street brands have had stores at the site in Greenhithe but are no longer there and many well known brands have opened stores at the site.

Just like this store which opened earlier this week.

Primark

In September 2017, the discount fashion giant announced it was to open a store at Bluewater.

Following an exclusive report on KentOnline, a spokesman for the fashion chain revealed it was scheduled to open in 2019.

They said: “Primark will be opening a store in Bluewater, which is currently scheduled for completion in 2019.”

The new store opened on Wednesday
The new store opened on Wednesday

And indeed the shop, which has extended opening hours until 9.30pm, opened on Wednesday.

However, another well known brand, announced in September 2018, it was set to close its store at the shopping centre.

Currys PC World

The store closed down in January this year
The store closed down in January this year

The store was set to shuts its doors in January this year when the company's lease ended.

All employees were offered redeployment locally, with the closest store being Crayford.

Jaeger

In April 2017, it was announced the fashion chain was set to close its flagship store, with the loss of 13 jobs.

The high-end designer brand axed its Bluewater store, which was among 19 which would closed nationally putting 165 people out of work.

It also made 44 redundancies in its head office and distribution centre.

Jeager announced its store at the complex would close down in April 2017
Jeager announced its store at the complex would close down in April 2017

H&M

In October 2016 it was announced a huge new H&M store would open at Bluewater just in time for the Christmas shopping rush.

Opening on November 25 the store boasted almost 3,200sqm of space and would opening at over over the shopping centre’s central service yard, giving the retailer a larger upper floor and mezzanine level.

The store opened in November 2016
The store opened in November 2016

HMV

In another part of the centre, HMV shut down for a while but is now back open.

The music retailer was one of two in Kent which were closed down after a take over by Canadian company Sunrise Records last month.

The firm helped save more than 1,400 jobs after buying 100 of the chain's 127 stores, after it went into administration.

However, just days later it was announced the Bluewater store was to reopen.

HMV was saved
HMV was saved

The company successfully renegotiated a lease at the site and were also hoping to follow suit with some of the other stores which were closed.

Lindt

Master chocolatiers Lindt, who have been producing delicious masterpieces since 1845, moved into Bluewater in December 17, just in time for Christmas that year.

The shop is in Thames Walk, near to the H&M store, and even has a pick and mix facility so people can chose their own favourites to fill a box.

People can even choose their own own chocolate box online and fill with chocolates and chocolate truffles which can then be sent in the post.

Lindt has been at Bluewater since 2017. Picture credit: Lindt
Lindt has been at Bluewater since 2017. Picture credit: Lindt

And last but not least a pop-up shop with a difference.

Selfie Factory

People can start relaxing in the bath when this unique pop-up store opens at the site later this month.

Instagrammers could strike a pose at the brand new Selfie Factory, which open its doors at the end of the month.

Featuring a giant ball pit, doughnut wall, confetti cove and more, the pop-up exhibit is the only one of its kind in the UK.

Following successful runs in both Brighton and Shoreditch, the installation will arrive at Bluewater this spring, as bosses aim to go "bigger and better" than ever before.

The Selfie Factory opens later this month
The Selfie Factory opens later this month

The pop-up will be at Bluewater from Friday, March 29 until Sunday, May 5.

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