On Friday 15th March Bluewater, Europe’s leading retail and leisure destination, kicked off its 20th birthday celebrations with the unveiling of a giant 3 metre birthday cake. Staff who have worked at Bluewater since the opening on 16th March 1999, were invited as special guests to enjoy a celebratory breakfast as a thank you for their excellent contribution and commitment to Bluewater over the last 20 years. Find out more at bluewater.co.uk
Celebrating 20 years since opening, Bluewater has pledged to support 20 Good Deeds, investing both time and money in community initiatives throughout 2019 and in the years ahead.
From its opening on 16th March 1999, Europe’s leading retail and leisure destination has become a key landmark in the Kent landscape, providing guests with an unparalleled experience. Over 20 years, the local community has played a vital role at Bluewater and supporting community development and local businesses in return, has been just as important to Bluewater.
From left to right:
Cllr. Jeremy Kite for Dartford, David Mote, The Worshipful the Mayor of Dartford,
Gareth Johnson, MP for Dartford , Bluewater’s Senior General Manager, Robert Goodman.
Some of the good causes to benefit will include Bexley Deaf Centre, offering lip reading services to help people with hearing loss and The Hygiene Bank, providing essential toiletries to support those vulnerable and struggling within the local area. Dartford-based Elements Gymnastics will be awarded funds and volunteer time to purchase and build specialist equipment to help advance their young gymnasts to an elite level. All 20 projects will receive a mix of funds and staff time, by way of thanks to the communities that have supported Bluewater for the past 20 years.
Lizzy Hall, Founder of The Hygiene Bank comments, “We all make financial choices, but for those living in poverty these choices can be extremely stark. When faced with eating or washing, the answer is obvious. Sadly this means hygiene products can slip out of reach, but basic hygiene is about wellbeing, self-confidence and dignity. Our mission is to provide essential hygiene and personal care products to those who can’t afford them. With the help of Bluewater and Kent residents we’ll be able to further raise awareness of the need to tackle hygiene poverty and support those in need. We would like to say thanks to Bluewater for all their support as we help those in need to get out of crisis.”
Since opening, Bluewater has welcomed millions of guests from across Kent, the UK and the world, and in doing so contributes £391m to the UK economy every year. Through the business, its partners and guests, Bluewater supports7,800 full time jobs, paying over £154m in wages each year. Additionally, Bluewater has brokered employment for over50,000 people, the majority of which are from Kent, via the nationally recognised Learning Shop.
The award-winning and beautifully maintained parks and lakes are testament to Bluewater’s commitment to enhancing biodiversity, with 900 different species including Dormice and Peregrine Falcons calling Bluewater home. The parkland is available to the local community to enjoy and has been recognised as offering one of the best parks and green spaces across the UK, having been granted gold status and a business landscape award by The South & South East Britain in Bloom Awards, as well as several prestigious Green Flag Awards.
Bluewater, Europe’s leading retail and leisure destination, has been a key part of the Kent community for 20 years, and offers great shopping with free, extra wide parking and has over 300 stores and more than 50 places to eat and drink. Plus, with a 17-screen Showcase Cinema de Lux including IMAX, Gravity Trampoline Park and Dinotropolis Adventure Park, there’s something for everyone. Find out more at bluewater.co.uk