Bluewater has had a huge impact on Kent since it opened 18 years ago and a new expansion is dividing communities nearby.

Nuxley Toys has been in Milton Road in Gravesend for 42 years.

Its manager Richard Ray, the son of owners Jean and Dave, has seen a lot changes and challenges during his time in the family business.

He said: “All towns are changing. There are a lot of different kind of shops than there used to be, like nail bars and hairdressers.

“A lot of the brands have left and now we have a lot of cheaper shops – like B&M and Bargain Buys – and that is not a bad thing for the town. It gives people more choice.

“On the whole Gravesend is a nice place and we have some lovely customers.”

The opening of Bluewater on March 16, 1999, has had little affect on his business, he said, but councillors in Gravesham tend to disagree.

Last month, neighbouring Dartford council approved plans to grow the West Village area of the mall, which it is claimed will create 2,300 jobs.

To secure planning approval, the shopping centre promised to make payments to town centres that could lose customers due to the expansion.

David Turner is not convinced. He has been leader of Gravesham council for a little over a fortnight but has sat on the council for 41 years.

He said: “It is about the potential impact on the town centre in Gravesend.

"If we lose the major stores that will hurt the viability of other shops and that is what we have got to guard against.

“If those big stores disappear then those shops around them will not be viable...” - Cllr David Turner, Gravesham Borough Council

"The only thing we can do if we lose the major stores is find speciality shops.

"We are quite a big town centre and to fill all those shops would be quite difficult.

“The St George’s Shopping Centre in the town was built on the basis you have Boots and Mothercare pre-sold which then attracts other shops around them.

“If those big stores disappear then those shops around them will not be viable.”

Cllr Turner’s concerns are understandable. In 2014, Marks & Spencer closed its store after more than 100 years in the town, saying it was no longer “financially viable”.

The retailer has one of three flagship stores at Bluewater, alongside John Lewis and House of Fraser.

Its Gravesend site has since been replaced by discount retailer B&M.

Gravesend was hurt again last year when BHS, next door to the old M&S store, closed following the retailer’s collapse.

“We were very disappointed to lose those shops,” said Cllr Turner.

“It is a significant danger if we lose Debenhams.”

Despite his reservations, many people in his district – and beyond – have thrived thanks to Bluewater.

Its on site jobcentre, the Learning Shop, has found jobs for more than 46,000 people since the shopping centre opened and has trained almost 20,000 people and awarded more than 15,000 qualifications.

More than 40% of people who have benefited from The Learning Shop are from Dartford and Gravesham, with 85% from north Kent.

When Bluewater opened, Dartford experienced a 25% drop in unemployment, the largest single reduction anywhere in the UK.

Today, the number of people claiming unemployment benefits in the district is the fourth lowest in Kent.

In addition, Bluewater has employed more than 9,000 local contractors and contributed more than £75m to nearby businesses.

“I have always been proud of Bluewater,” said Jeremy Kite, leader of Dartford council.

“It is a very good employer and recruits locally where it can. The jobs are well paid and they offer a lot of training there which can start people on their careers.

“People can be disparaging about Bluewater as a hub for casual workers but there are a lot of professionals doing big jobs there.”

Cllr Kite believes the shopping centre has also attracted investment for Dartford.

In February, it was awarded a £4.3m government grant for the town centre’s regeneration – the full amount it applied for.

Cllr Kite said: “If we were a sleepier town centre, without Bluewater, the government might not have been so willing to invest.

“The money we are spending is not trying to compete with Bluewater.

“If it wasn’t there it would just be another hole in the ground full of housing and I don’t think for a minute people would try to buy a 55-inch TV in Dartford town centre. They would probably go to Lakeside or Westfield...” - Cllr Jeremy Kite, Dartford Borough Council

“We are trying to build a town of character. A lot of what we are spending the money on is heritage space.

"We are trying to create a different atmosphere in the town centre that can’t be replaced at the shopping centre.

“If it wasn’t there it would just be another hole in the ground full of housing and I don’t think for a minute people would try to buy a 55-inch TV in Dartford town centre.

"They would probably go to Lakeside or Westfield.”

Bluewater general manager Robert Goodman declined an interview.

He said in a statement: “We welcome the planning committee’s unanimous decision to approve the application.

“The proposals to evolve Bluewater are important to ensure it continues to provide its guests with a comprehensive and compelling offer.

“They will also create up to 500 jobs during construction and 2,300 once complete.

“Following the committee’s decision, our focus is now on working in partnership with our stakeholders on the detail of the proposals over the coming months.”

Some retailers say the internet poses a greater threat to town centres than Bluewater.

Ryan Johnson, co-owner of Woods Designer Clothing, an independent retailer in Maidstone, said he was not concerned about the shopping centre's expansion.

He said: "Bluewater has as much affect as London does as it is only half hour drive away.

"But we have been affected more by online shopping than Bluewater. "It's not as if it is a little shopping centre and is now going to be huge."It has always been big and will be another 20% bigger. There is nothing we can do about it."He said Maidstone town centre should be able to attract shoppers "unless Bluewater becomes more of same product we do".However, the council could offer more support in light of its impending expansion.Mr Johnson said: "The draw of free parking would definitely help in town centres. "Shoppers don't want to pay £10 for a few hours parking when they know they will get a parking space at Bluewater."Even if it was just weekends, free parking would help Maidstone."Maidstone has adapted since Bluewater opened in 1999, according to town centre manager Ilsa Butler.She said: "Maidstone has seen significant changes since the late 90s."Fremlin Walk opened in 2005, The Mall has undergone a major refurbishment and The Royal Star Arcade and Lockmeadow are also undergoing improvements. "Of particular note is the marked increase in the leisure offer here in Maidstone with a wide variety of restaurants opening and the organic development of a dining quarter centred in Earl Street. "Maidstone’s night economy has also responded to the changes in demand and has adapted accordingly and contracted geographically to be focused on one side of the river."