Bluewater’s boss is "cautiously optimistic" about the shopping centre’s prospects for 2009 after the centre defied general retail gloom to attract more shoppers over the Christmas period than in the previous year.

As many retailers hunker down for a weak 2009, with other names expected to follow Woolworths, Zavvi, Whittard, The Officers Club, Adams, Morgan and USC into administration and possible disappearance from the high street, Kent’s main shopping centre enjoyed strong visitor numbers.

According to footfall figures, around 174,000 shoppers went to Bluewater on December 27 - up on the same day a year ago - and 145,000 on December 30, 20 per cent higher.

The number of people visiting the 330-store complex on December 22 was the highest for five years.

However, figures are not yet available for the average spend per visitor, a key indicator of consumer confidence.

"Some retailers have found it a bit more of a struggle this year but on the whole we’ve had most retailers quite buoyant from the result they have seen," said Andrew Parkinson, bluewater’s general manager.

But he acknowledged that customers had been more cautious with their spending. "The tendency was to buy something a bit more special rather than the quantity."

Mr Parkinson accepted that Bluewater’s 10th anniversary year, with the expectation of many more job losses and pressure on people’s spending power, would be challenging. But he added: "We are cautiously optimistic about how things will pan out in 2009."

He said Bluewater had only 15 empty premises at the moment - below the national average - and there was plenty of interest from retailers to fill them. Demand was strong from overseas, he said, and Hollister, an American name, would soon be opening a flagship store at the centre.

"Retailers can be quite confident that when they come to Bluewater, if they get their offer right, they’re going to be successful here."

Several retail chains are now looking for bigger flagship stores and Bluewater is likely to undergo "reconfiguration" over the next few months, with the possibility of a small reduction in the number of stores. John Lewis is opening a new food hall this year.

"There’s plenty of interest in Bluewater," said Mr Parkinson. "It’s definitely going to be a more challenging time for everyone but we’re probably in a better position than most."

Special anniversary events to mark Bluewater’s opening in 1999 will be held throughout the year, with a focus on its Kent community role, Mr Parkinson revealed.