Bluewater Shopping Centre has been ranked one of the top retail locations in Britain according to a group property advisors.

Harper Dennis Hobbs judged 1,000 shopping areas on how well the stores suit local needs.

Robert Goodman, General Manager of Bluewater, was happy with the news.

He said: "We are delighted Bluewater has once again been ranked as one of the leading retail and leisure destinations in the UK. 

"This latest report joins those of CACI, Javelin and Experian, all of whom name Bluewater as the number one out-of-town retail and leisure destination in the UK."

Harper Dennis Hobbs also looked at vacancy rates and the number of undesirable shops, such as betting shops.

Canary Wharf also came in the top ten, ranked at eighth. 

The rankings have been expanded this year to include smaller town centres with a minimum of 40 shops.

Mr Goodman said: "This year alone, Bluewater has welcomed statement stores from Missguided, The White Company, Smashbox and Gap. 

"In addition, in the Plaza, Gravity is to open a flagship trampoline park, we are creating three more restaurants and Showcase is adding four new cinema screens."  

Mr Goodman added that the most important factor to the success of Bluewater was delivering a "unique guest expereince."

Bluewater, which was recently approved for a massive expansion, was ranked fifth in Britain, with only Chelsea, Knightsbridge, Westfield and Cambridge above it.

Plans to increase Bluewater were agreed in April this year.

Planning permission was granted to extend the West village section of the shopping centre from Pizza Express out to the nursery.

There will also be five separate extensions to the main shopping centre that will bring larger units and a re-configured layout.