Footfall at Bluewater is expected to exceed 500,000 this weekend as the shopping centre prepares for its busiest few days of the year.

The beginning of the holidays, early paydays and a surge of last minute shoppers are set to cause the upturn.

The centre has already announced nearly 20 stores will stay open until midnight on Monday, December 23, the last full day of trading.

The shopping centre welcomed more than 320,000 guests on the first weekend of its Christmas trading on Friday, November 15, partly attributed to a visit by Gravesend-born X Factor star Tamera Foster for its lights switch-on.

It saw a 7% increase in footfall year-on-year on the so-called Black Friday on November 29 and payday Saturday. Over that weekend it welcomed more than 350,000 shoppers.

General manager Robert Goodman said: “This coming weekend is likely to see a similar surge in sales and footfall to Black Friday, but driven largely by need rather than retailer promotions.

“For some, the weekend is the last chance to shop in earnest for Christmas presents, and our stores are going to be busy.”