Expansion on way for Bluewater

Four extra cinema screens, three restaurants and two new leisure attractions will take the place of Bluewater’s failed Glow events venue later this year.

It means the Greenhithe shopping centre will soon boast 17 screens at its Showcase Cinema de Lux, including a larger “XPlus auditorium” with an even bigger screen and state-of-the-art surround-sound system.

Every screen will also be decked out with electric recliners. The additions follow the introduction of an IMAX screen in 2013, which was also upgraded the following year.

No details have yet been revealed as to what new restaurants people can expect, but developer Land Securities said there were discussions taking place with “several leading brands”.

The two leisure spaces will be on the upper and lower levels, and a planning application submitted last year revealed a bowling alley and a trampoline centre were among the options being considered.

Land Securities submitted the planning application last year following Glow’s closure the year before, although its approval was delayed by Dartford council’s planning committee over concerns new attractions would put too much extra traffic on the roads.

It was hoped that Glow would become a major venue for concerts, exhibitions, and conventions, but it failed to win over shoppers.

Robert Goodman, general manager at Bluewater, said: “Evolving Bluewater’s offer to provide a day-out experience for guests unavailable elsewhere in the South East is our priority.

“The upsizing of Showcase, the creation of three further restaurants, and the addition of two new exciting leisure concepts means we will continue to offer something different on every visit.” All of the additions should be ready to open by Christmas.