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