Bluewater unveils expansion plans

Kent’s Bluewater shopping centre, built in a former quarry, is about to become the UK’s biggest.

Australian property group Lend Lease is applying for planning permission for a 375,000 square foot extension to the 1.6 million square foot mega-mall.

The added space means it will shadow Westfield’s two shopping centres in London and Gateshead’s Metro Centre.

Bluewater was opened in 1999 and was the first UK mall to create separate areas for different uses. Its latest addition is an events and exhibition space called Glow. Public consultation for the extension begins in September and a full application will be submitted later this year.

Bluewater has been trading well through the recession, with June sales up 6% compared with the same month last year. The centre has been keen to attract new brands and in the first six months of 2012 signed up 10 newcomers including gourmet burger restaurant Byron and US ice cream brand Pinkberry’s.

Lend Lease is working on a number of schemes in the UK including the redevelopment of Elephant and Castle and the Hydro Arena in Glasgow. The outline plans for the Bluewater extension are being made public today by Dartford Council.