Exhibition centre may host concerts

8:29am Saturday 9th December 2006

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A MULTI-MILLION pound project to extend part of Bluewater into a "mini Earls Court" has been given the go-ahead.

The shopping centre, in Greenhithe, has secured planning permission from Dartford Council for an events venue.

It plans to extend its southern side into a 5,200sq m venue which will host consumer events like home exhibitions and wedding shows.

Bluewater, which opened seven years ago, has more than 300 shops and restaurants within its 148,700sq m centre on the 50-acre former quarry site.

The extension will be the size of four Olympic swimming pools and built onto the existing food area on the Thames Walk side of the site.

Bluewater's head of marketing Linsey Wooldridge predicts construction will begin between June and July next year and will be finished by the end of 2008.

She said: "We are so excited about this building, it will be like a mini Earls Court.

"If we have something like a mother and baby show, customers could try out a buggy assault course and then go and buy it in one of our stores.

"There is also a possibility in the future of maybe holding small scale music events."

North Kent Chamber of Commerce president Jeff Brown is pleased at predictions the venue will create 1,000 extra jobs a year.

He said: "We welcome the decision, it will create lots of jobs in the short term when construction is taking place but also in the long term too."

Costa Coffee shop assistant 19-year Nicola Steward, who is based in the centre's Thames Walk cafe, said: "I think the venue is a great thing for Bluewater and will bring in lots of business."

Council leader councillor Jeremy Kite said: "I think this is a very good use of land and I really believe that they can make this work because you just have to look at Bluewater itself to see that.

"It will be a great addition to the area and I am happy the plans are going ahead."

Planning permission was granted by the council on December 4. Detailed building plans are now being drawn up.