Fashion brand Next is to expand its store in Bluewater after a strong Christmas sales period.

The retailer will take on two neighbouring units to create a 44,226 sq ft store, the shopping centre’s owners Land Securities announced.

It comes after a good festive season for Next, which revealed sales grew by 2.9% from October 28 to Christmas Eve, supported by its strong catalogue and online operations.

The upsized store will have a full-height window on the southern side, with the renovation changing the outer walls of Bluewater for the first time.

The glass will flood light both levels of the store with views of the surrounding chalk cliffs. There will also be two large skylights installed on the top floor.

Lipsy, the women’s fashion retailer owned by Next, will leave its current Bluewater shop and become a store-within-a-store, with its own entrance on upper Thames Walk.

The work is due to be completed by the summer.

Neighbouring stores Hotel Chocolat and Thomas Cook, whose units are being taken over by Next, will move to larger stores at the shopping centre, measuring 1,493 sq ft and 1,413 sq ft respectively.

A Next spokesperson said: “Bluewater is a key location for Next. We have long felt we could achieve even more, and are therefore delighted our ambition will now be realised.

“This is an exciting project for Next, one that reflects Bluewater’s unique attributes. The sense of light and space in the store, combined with the new layout and merchandising, will significantly enhance the experience for our customers.”

Land Securities portfolio director Russell Loveland said: “The creation of a new store for Next is consistent with our strategy of ensuring Bluewater offers not only the very best mix of leading UK and international brands, but unique concepts.

“We have worked closely with Next on the design for this store, particularly on delivering the vision for natural light to play such a key role in the experience.

“Next’s new Bluewater store will be the perfect showcase for the brand.”

The announcement follows a very strong year for Bluewater, with more than 20 brands investing with new store openings measuring 80,000 sq ft, including American Eagle, White Stuff and Steamer Trading Cookshop.

CBRE acted for Bluewater on the deal while Next dealt directly.