Bluewater is welcoming eight new brands in the run-up to the festive season, including the first UK store for online retailer Amazon, which opened last week.

Women’s footwear specialist Carvela and children’s boutique Rosie Cheeks have opened at the shopping centre in Greenhithe, with discount retailer The Works set to follow.

Carvela’s new 1,200 sq ft shop is the brand’s first stand-alone store in the south-east, showcasing its innovative new range of shoes, bags and accessories and can be found on the Upper Guildhall, near Apple.

Award-winning Kent-based distillery Anno Distillers has also opened a new store on the Upper Thames Walk, selling a range of spirits including gin, as well as whisky and vodka. Founded by former scientists in 2011, the award-winning brand opened its gin distillery in the village of Marden, near Maidstone, where they make all their spirits in a 300-litre copper pot still.

Nespresso has also launched its first experiential boutique concept in the UK on the Upper Guildhall. The new store includes a taste and discover area and offers coffee masterclasses.

The Mayor of Dartford Rosanna Currans will open Laser Clinics at Bluewater on Friday, October 22, at 10am. The new flagship clinic in the Upper Rose Gallery will have eight treatment rooms, offering state-of-the-art laser hair removal, skin treatments, and cosmetic injectables including anti-ageing treatments and lip enhancements.

A new Sky shop has also opened its doors on the Upper Mall outside John Lewis. The new store includes an Access All Areas stage to host interactive experiences for customers.

Rosie Cheeks, an independent childrenswear boutique, has opened this week after winning the Drapers Kidswear Independent of the Year Award. They offer multi-branded children's wear in a range of sizes from newborns up to age 10.

Books, toys and crafts retailer The Works is also set to join the centre's line-up in the coming weeks while existing store Castle Fine Art will double in size, moving into a new 2,000sq ft unit, showcasing a wide spectrum of art.

Robert Goodman, senior centre director at Bluewater, said: “We are delighted to welcome such a variety of new names to Bluewater – including well-known brands as well as supporting smaller businesses. In the run-up to Christmas, our new arrivals will offer guests even more choice than ever before.”

Amazon launched its first UK in-person 4-star store on the Upper Guildhall last week. The 3,500sq ft flagship store offers a range of products that are rated four stars and above, are top sellers, or are trending on Amazon.co.uk. Customers will find a selection of items from the top categories including electronics, toys, games, books, kitchen and more.

The cinema at Bluewater is also getting a revamp.

The new phased development will include luxury recliner seating as standard across 13 of the cinema’s screens.

The design will mirror the four screens that were added when the cinema in Greenhithe was expanded in 2018.

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