by business editor Trevor Sturgess

More than 300 part-time jobs, many for young people, are being created at Glow Bluewater, the events centre that opened yesterday.

The £60m complex will host consumer and business exhibitions, product launches, conferences and banquets. Its inaugural show is a Spirit of Christmas fair featuring more than 100 traders.

Lend Lease, the centre's developer, unveiled the Bluewater Host Bureau to supply temporary staff.

Dan Labbad, Lend Lease chief executive officer, said it would recruit, train and place locally-based people with event organisers and exhibitors.

The scheme, run in partnership with The Learning Shop, is targeting 16-24 year olds although people of all ages are considered. Around 60 have been hired already. "We anticipate the scheme could benefit about 300 people a year," he said.

Rebecca Cardozo, venue director, added: "I have teenagers and I know how incredibly difficult it is for young people to get that first foot in the door."

Glow is plugged into the shopping centre and is thought to be the first of its kind in the world. Mr Labbad said it would be "a new model for the industry".

Jeremy Kite, leader of Dartford council, welcomed Glow. "Dartford likes making an exhibition of itself and now we've got somewhere to do it," he quipped. "I'm so proud of having this in our borough. What a fantastic facility."

Nearly 20 events are already planned, including the BBC Good Food Show in April.

Meanwhile, the public sector strike and the official opening attracted 7% more shoppers to Bluewater than is usual on a typical Wednesday in November.