Primark's plan to open a store at Bluewater has been described as "disappointing news" for one of the shopping centre's neighbouring town centres.

The discount fashion chain confirmed it was moving in earlier this week after an exclusive report by KentOnline, with many seeing the announcement as a death knell for nearby towns like Dartford and Gravesend, which both have Primark stores.

But while Dartford council's lead member for business and enterprise remains optimistic that the Bluewater opening will not have an impact on other local stores, the view from a few miles up the A2 is somewhat more downbeat.

Cllr Samir Jassal, cabinet member for business development at Gravesham council, said: "As it’s been reported before, Gravesham council did put objections in for the expansion of Bluewater, and with it being confirmed that a Primark will be part of this expansion, it’s obviously disappointing news for Gravesend and our town centre.

"Of course, we hope that Primark doesn’t decide to close its shop here in Gravesend but we would have no control over this.

“Primark in Gravesend is a large unit in a prime location with a wide-ranging shopping offer with quick links to the rest of the town that has a mix of multiples and independents.

"It is a store with a historic presence and yet still offers a modern shopping experience and we hope the retail outlet will understand this and continue to trade as well as it does here.”

Many well known brands have left the high streets of both Dartford and Gravesend to focus on their units at nearby Bluewater.

Gravesend swapped its dormant M&S department store in New Road for discounter B&M last summer - and Game and Claire’s Accessories have both shut in the last 12 months.

Recent departures from Dartford town centre also include brands with a presence at Bluewater, such as Next.

The shopping centre's general manager, Robert Goodman, commented for the first time yesterday on Primark's arrival.

“We are constantly evolving Bluewater to ensure it provides guests with a unique offer and experience," he said in a statement.

“This includes introducing new retailers and restaurants.

"We can confirm that Primark will be opening a store with us, which is currently scheduled for completion in 2019.”

Mr Goodman declined to be interviewed about the Primark opening, which goes against previous policy from Bluewater to target high-end designer stores.

Store openings in recent years have focused on trendy fashion chains like Missguided, Michael Kors, Brietling, and most recently kate spade new york.

There has also been a drive to extend stores belonging to its long-running successful tenants, including Next, H&M, FatFace and Gap.

In an interview with Kent Business in 2014, Mr Goodman said Bluewater wanted to attract “wealthy executives, mature money, career climbers – people attracted to brands”.

He added new openings from the likes of Mont Blanc and Mappin and Webb were “the direction we want to go”.