According to BRC-KPMG figures, last month the UK experienced a 4.5 per cent rise on sales compared to February 2009. Bluewater’s year-on-year sales were up by 8.5 per cent, with a 7.3 per cent rise in footfall compared to 2.1 per cent recorded for the UK.

Andrew Parkinson, Bluewater’s general manager, said: “Two factors contributed to our strong results for February 2010. Firstly, the weather was much better this year.  Secondly, and most importantly, Bluewater continues to have great appeal as a ‘day-out’ destination.
“During half-term and the weekends in February, for example, significant numbers of guests spent the day at Bluewater. This drove sales in the key retail categories, and also benefitted Bluewater’s caterers, who experienced a 9 per cent rise in sales.”
Other key performring categories were fashion, with sales up by 6 per cent versus February 2009, health and beauty, up 9 per cent, and footwear, which increased by 13 per cent compared to the previous year.

This follows the announcement that the Bluewater Events Venue is to be built, with the first events scheduled for late 2011. Directly accessed off Thames Walk through the Water Circus, the 5,200-sq m purpose-built space will be centred on a 3,000-sq m plaza, featuring 12 restaurants totalling 4,000 sq m, five new units, and the existing 12-screen cinema.

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