H&M is to open a new store at Bluewater more than twice the size of its current shop.

The fashion brand aims to open a 40,000sq ft outlet by November this year by building over the shopping centre’s central service yard.

It will give the retailer a larger upper floor and mezzanine level, adding 15,000sq ft of space.

It will continue to trade from its existing ground floor while the works take place and will take a temporary unit next to House of Fraser as a short-term menswear store.

Russell Loveland, portfolio director at Land Securities, co-owner of Bluewater, said: “Upsizing H&M to create a new statement store has been an objective for some time, as we work to ensure our key brands trade from stores that reflect Bluewater’s position in the industry.

“Upsizing H&M to create a new statement store has been an objective for some time..." - Russell Loveland, Land Securities

“H&M’s new store will deliver a great experience for our guests and is a fantastic start to 2016.”

The upsize follows the opening of Next’s 44,000sq ft statement store, which launched in October.

TopShop expanded into a 30,000sq ft space a year earlier.

It follows a record-breaking year for Bluewater, during which sales reached their highest level since it opened.

In addition, 22 brands committed to stores in the past 12 months, including Hackett, Nespresso, Breitling, Anthropologie and Tesla.

CBRE and Time Retail Partners acted for Bluewater. H&M was unrepresented.