Next will be replacing House of Fraser at Bluewater.

The department store, which sat in one of the three corners of the Greenhithe shopping centre since it opened 25 years ago, is shutting at the end of the month.

The shop occupies a large unit on both floors of the mall and is in a prime location, offering footfall from the car park to the centre.

Plans to alter the shopfront, facades, and roof of the building were submitted on Monday, December 2.

The application cover letter states that the proposed alterations “have been driven by a new tenant, Next, who will occupy the unit from Q4 2026.”

They would take nine months to complete and are scheduled to start in March 2025.

Works include replacing the existing double entrance door, adding new shopfronts, and a glazed roof light.

It is hoped the changes will help to modernise the unit and to “improve the customer experience”.

The existing storefront has been in place since Bluewater opened in 1999, with the cover letter stating: “The proposals are therefore necessary so the shopfront can be renovated for the new tenant, specifically to provide increased visibility and light into the unit.”

Plans are yet to be submitted for new signage to be added to the site.

Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce previously warned the departure of House of Fraser could have a negative impact on other traders who benefit from the footfall produced by such a large store.

Chief Executive Tudor Price said: “Customers may stop returning once they realise the anchor store is no longer there.”

He also said it would have a big impact on the look and feel of the shopping centre.

Mr Price added: “It does not look good. And part of shopping in a large centre is that it is a very experiential thing. You want everywhere to look good.

“If you have an empty store, whether it is small or large, it has a perspective impact on the experience.”

John Lewis was the first major tenant to sign up to Bluewater when plans for the centre were first announced in the 1990s, with fellow anchor tenants House of Fraser and Marks and Spencer following suit shortly after.

Next already has a large branch at Bluewater which contains a Bath and Body Works section. It is not known what will be happening to its existing store.

James Waugh, centre director at Bluewater, commented: “We’re thrilled to see Next significantly expanding its presence here at Bluewater, following many successful years in its current space.

“This move not only reinforces Bluewater’s position as a leading retail destination, but also highlights the continued confidence in bricks-and-mortar retail that we’re seeing.

“We already have some exciting plans for the existing Next unit, which we look forward to sharing in due course.”

Next has been approached for comment.