Next unveils upsized Bluewater store
Next has unveiled its upsized and revamped store at Bluewater following 10 months of development.
Now spanning 44,226 square feet, the store has a significantly increased sales area with new fixtures and fittings, revamped shoe rooms, a lingerie room and a petite offering on womenswear. Lipsy has also relocated to become a store-within-a-store with its own entrance on the upper Thames Walk.
Developed in-house by Next in conjunction with Bluewater’s retail design and delivery team, the new store features natural light. The southern elevation of the store contains a new section of full-height structural glazing, the first time the external fabric of Bluewater has been changed in this way. The glass floods light into both levels of the store as well as providing views of Bluewater’s chalk cliffs. Complementing the glass panel are two large skylights to add to the sense of light and space.
A spokesperson at Next said: “We are very excited to be opening this extra space. It has been a long time since we had the store fully open and our customers have been very patient. The kids and home departments are even better than before and we have created in excess of 98 new jobs.”
Next is the latest in a series of brands to redesign their stores at Bluewater including Fraser Hart, Goldsmiths, The Body Shop and Hollister. In addition, Aveda, Kiko, STA Travel and Virgin Media have all opened new stores at the centre in the last three months.
Russell Loveland, portfolio director at Land Securities, co-owner and manager of Bluewater, said: “We are delighted to have worked closely with Next on this upsize, creating an exciting, refreshing and light new store. This new store is consistent with our strategy of ensuring Bluewater offers not only the very best mix of leading UK and international brands, but unique concepts.”
