A retail giant is set to move into it's new Bluewater home creating hundreds of jobs.

The news Primark is to open has been welcomed by Dartford council leader Cllr Jeremy Kite (Con) , who said it was a great boost for the town.

Cllr Kite said: "Every time a store opens in the area it's great for local employment. It's great new jobs have been created and I welcome them to the shopping centre."

Recruitment for more than 400 staff at the shopping centre has already begun and the majority of the positions have been filled with the stores move scheduled to be completed by the end of March.

Fears that the opening of the new discount fashion chain would affect their sister store in High Street, Dartford, or even result in it closing, were quashed by the retailer, who confirmed they have no plans to close the store.

Primark spokesman Nick Reading said: “The new store will showcase two floors of fashion over 46,000 sq ft of retail space and will feature the latest trends in women’s, men’s and children’s fashions including footwear, accessories as well as lingerie, beauty and homeware."

In January last year the low-cost fashion chain leased a 60,000 sq ft space between House of Fraser and All Saints, with the remaining 14,000 sq ft space being used for stock and office functions.

Primark’s move to Bluewater prompted former tenant the Early Learning Centre to close its store and open a concession within Mothercare, which was already located at the shopping centre.

The retailer already has seven stores in Kent, located in nearby Dartford and Gravesend, as well as Chatham, Maidstone, Canterbury, Thanet and Folkestone.

Bluewater general manager Robert Goodman is looking forward to welcoming the stores first guests in Spring.

He said: "We’re delighted to be able to offer our guests the very best of affordable fashion and homeware with the launch of Primark at Bluewater.

"We're always looking to improve guest experience by providing brands and experiences that we know our visitors will use and enjoy and we’re proud to say that Primark will be joining a huge selection of over 300 stores, plus places to eat, experiences and activities to take part in.

"We’re looking forward to welcoming the first guests when the store opens later this spring."