Topping out ceremony at
new Bluewater events centre

by business editor Trevor Sturgess

There may still be more than 200 shopping days to Christmas but
Bluewater is busy gearing up for a festive extravaganza to launch
its £60m events centre.

The Spirit of Christmas, complete with a skating rink and winter
wonderland decor, will be the first show at the £60 million Events
Venue at Bluewater due to open in late November.

Yesterday's topping out ceremony marked the countdown to
the unveiling of the UK's first events complex linked to a shopping
centre and possibly only the second in the world.

Kent has been waiting for a top class exhibition and conference
centre for years. But like London buses, two come along at the same
time. Kent County Agricultural Society unveils the Clive Emson
Conference Centre at the County Showground, Detling, next
month.

But the Bluewater complex is focused more on lifestyle shows,
covering fashion, travel, weddings, baby and toddler, drinks and a
host of other features to entertain shoppers and keep them longer
in the centre. The new venue will have two halls and seat up to
3,000 people. It will also be suitable for product launches and
award ceremonies.

Director Rebecca Cardozo said it would be a new breed of venue,
with 12 consumer exhibitions already booked. "This is for people of
all ages," she said. Market research found that people wanted
music, comedy and "all the things they can get in London but which
are more accessible here."

She thought arrangements for loading and unloading would work
smoothly and pledged: "There will absolutely be no problem for
residents."

Andrew Parkinson, Bluewater's general manager, said: "Bluewater
is always creative and innovative. This has never been done before
and it's very exciting. It will be something over and above a
shopping experience."

Construction has created more than 1,200 jobs. Main contractor
BAM has worked with The Learning Shop to take on local staff,
especially young people.

Dartford council leader Jeremy Kite and MP Gareth Johnson
attended the ceremony. Cllr Kite said: "The events venue is going
to be one of those tremendous steps forward both in national
retailing standards but also in terms of this community and what we
have to offer."