Huge 132,000sq ft Next store opening in UK shopping centre - 'landmark moment'

Huge 132,000sq ft Next store opening in UK shopping centre - 'landmark moment' The new flagship store will officially open its doors on Thursday, July 30 and will offer a broader range of products, in addition to an in-store Costa café A UK is set to welcome a huge new Next superstore later this month. The 132,000sq ft new store will triple the size of the retailer's present store inside the Bluewater Shopping Centre in Kent. The new flagship store will officially open on Thursday, July 30. Next currently operates over 400 stores in the UK and partners with brands such as Victoria's Secret, Reiss and Joules. James Waugh, the Bluewater centre director, said: "There has been huge anticipation around the opening of Next's new store, so we're delighted to confirm that it will be opening its doors later this month. "As our first new anchor store since Bluewater launched in 1999, this expansion is a landmark moment for us. "We look forward to welcoming guests across the opening weekend and beyond." The store will offer a broader range of products, including men's, women's, children's and homeware items, in addition to an in-store Costa café. Next is taking over a former House of Fraser unit which has been empty since the end of 2024. The opening will see entertainment for the family, including face-painting, a DJ, and an appearance from Hamish the Highland Cow, the Next mascot. The first 150 customers to enter the store will also receive an exclusive goody bag to mark the opening. "We're incredibly excited to be opening the largest store across the Next portfolio at Bluewater," said Terry Wetherell, store manager at Next. "We can't wait to showcase a broader range of our products and introduce new brands to the centre and our customers." It is unclear what will happen to the existing Next building on site.