Next unveiled its expanded and revamped store at Bluewater, creating 98 jobs, in the same week when Swiss watchmaker Breitling opened a new location in the shopping centre.

Over the last 10 months clothes and homeware retailer Next has been extending its shop by 7,000 sq ft after it took over neighbouring units formerly occupied by Hotel Chocolat and Thomas Cook.

Its new 44,226sq ft space features a full-height window at the rear, altering the outside walls of the shopping centre for the first time.

Light floods into both levels of the store from the window and two large skylights, also providing views of Bluewater’s chalk cliffs.

The larger shop has a bigger sales area plus revamped shoe rooms, a lingerie room and a petite offering on womenswear.

Lipsy, which is owned by Next, has also relocated to become a store-within-a-store, with its own entrance on the upper Thames Walk.

Meanwhile, Breitling launched a 1,500sq ft store in the upper Rose Gallery, featuring décor echoing its aeronautical ties and a large multimedia screen.

The store is to be managed by Aurum Holdings the UK’s largest luxury retailer of brands including Watches of Switzerland, Goldsmiths and Mappin & Webb.

Breitling UK managing director Gavin Murphy said: “The Bluewater store is a significant addition to Breitling’s footprint within the UK, in what is the most important retail shopping environment in the South East.”

Russell Loveland, portfolio director at Land Securities, co-owner of Bluewater, said: “We are very pleased to have Breitling join our ever growing portfolio of luxury brands.

“Their choice of Bluewater for this significant launch in the South East highlights once again our position as the first choice destination for some of the world’s most prestigious brands.

“We are delighted to have worked closely with Next on this upsize, creating an exciting, refreshing and light new store.

“This new store is consistent with our strategy of ensuring Bluewater offers not only the very best mix of leading UK and international brands, but unique concepts.”