A grandmother sparked a huge debate when she called for Bluewater to close on Boxing Day. But was she right?

Pensioner Gwen Tripp says Bluewater has blighted surrounding homes and roads with traffic and pollution ever since it was built.

The 88-year-old ex Swanscombe and Greenhithe parish councillor from Greenhithe wrote to the management team in November asking for them to show some seasonal goodwill and close the centre on Boxing Day, but received no response.

Mrs Tripp said in the early days of the centre, shop owners agreed to stay closed on Boxing Day, but the arrangement didn’t last and as a result her family said they would never come again due to the masses of traffic.

The story of her demand sparked almost 150 comments on KentOnline and many more on Facebook. Those commenting were divided - some agreed with Mrs Tripp while others felt she was being a Christmas Scrooge.

Speaking on KMTV Zoe Cairns, a social media expert said: "For years and years I remember it has always been the Boxing Say sales, I understand that Bluewater is a massive place and it's going to cause traffic but is one day going to make a difference in terms of pollution?"

Tudor Price, from Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce, said: "The retail market is under a lot of pressure at the moment from online and Boxing Day is a great opportunity for them to try and make back some of those losses they've made over the course of the year.

"It's also an opportunity for other people to work and earn money.

"There are people in retail who work on zero hours contracts and won't get holiday pay, so in one way, whilst it's nice in principle, I think the realities are that there is money to be made and there are wages to be earned.

"I think Boxing Day working and shopping is going to be with us for a long time to come."

There were more than 15,000 responses to our interactive poll, in which 69% of you agreed Bluewater should be closed on Boxing Day.

Facebook user, Wendy Pritchard commented: "I agree with this lady, it’s family time at Christmas and one day is not enough.

"Shops in Spain still close on Sundays and bank holidays and that’s how it should be."

Chris Walsh also agreed, saying: "Boxing Day is supposed to be a public holiday.

"What's the point of public holidays if everything carries on as normal?

"Nobody ever died from not being able to go shopping."

But many commenter's disagreed, Kelly Conor Belle said: "Why should it close?

"People choose to be in retail so they know they will be working during the Christmas period.

"Find a job that isn’t open over Christmas if you're going to moan."

When speaking to independent shops about their decision to stay open on Boxing Day, one replied: "We'll be open 8am-7pm."

The shop owner, who did not want to be named, added: "We have no choice, otherwise we'll be fined.

"It's the same with later opening times, if we shut earlier than 11pm during the Christmas hours, again we get fined, even if there are no customers."

Another independent shop, who also did not want to be named, stated: "You get fined if you don't open on any day of trading throughout the year."

A spokesman for Bluewater said: "We’re unable to comment on individual retailer lease agreements, however, Boxing Day is a very popular day for our guests, with many enjoying the start of the traditional sales or taking a break at one of Bluewater’s restaurants, enjoying a visit to the cinema or one of our many leisure attractions."

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