by business editor Trevor Sturgess

Shoppers made October a good month for Bluewater.

The retail and leisure centre defied any spending downturn by announcing sales were 8.1 per cent up on the same time a year ago.

It out-performed the latest figures from the British Retail Consortium and KPMG showing a national year-on-year rise of 5.9 per cent. The number of people visiting Bluewater rose by even more - 13.1 per cent - during the month.

Winter fashions, gifts and catering were particularly strong, with retailers reporting strong demand for knitwear, winter boots, formal fashion, gadgets and health and beauty.

Andrew Parkinson, Bluewater’s general manager, said: "We are delighted with the success of October, which is due to a number of factors including a fantastic half term where Bluewater continued to provide families with a great day-out.

"In addition, our guests were seen to be preparing for Autumn/Winter, as Bluewater witnessed a rise in sales of fashion and footwear, notably, knitwear, winter boots and formal wear. Advanced Christmas purchasing was also taking place with popular gifts such as jewellery, perfume and pre-release orders on computer games being made."

Meanwhile, six young people from across North Kent and Medway have begun a 10-month apprenticeship that will show them all aspects of retailing and shopping centre management.

The Bluewater Apprenticeship Scheme is the first of its kind in the UK and could be rolled out nationwide.

It was unveiled at a VIP ceremony attended by Dartford MP Dr Howard Stoate, the Mayors of Gravesham, Dartford and Swanscombe and Greenhithe, and Jenefer (corr) Greenwood, chairman of the Retail Skills Academy.

Funded by Lend Lease, the centre operator, and several retailers, including John Lewis and Websters Pen Shop, the scheme aims to produce a new generation of skilled managers.

Andrew Parkinson, Bluewater general manager, confirmed it would become an annual project and hoped more retailers would give their support.

He said: "We are confident it will lay the foundations for tomorrow’s retail leaders. We hope that 10 years from now, the scheme will have raised not only the educational and retail career aspirations of many young people, but importantly, it will have launched many successful retail careers."