NEXT is set to significantly increase its presence at Bluewater, with plans to triple the size of its existing store and move into a 133,000 sq ft space previously occupied by House of Fraser. The announcement positions Bluewater as the future home of one of NEXT’s largest stores in the UK, with the new location expected to open in 2026.
The upcoming flagship store will feature an expanded product range, including menswear, womenswear, childrenswear, and homeware. A café will also be incorporated into the design, offering visitors an enhanced retail experience. As part of the expansion, American beauty and fragrance brand Bath and Body Works will relocate into a newly designated 2,000 sq ft unit adjacent to the enlarged NEXT store. Both the current NEXT and Bath and Body Works locations will continue to operate throughout 2025.
James Waugh, Centre Director at Bluewater, commented:
“We’re thrilled to see NEXT significantly expanding its presence here at Bluewater, following many successful years in its current space. This move not only reinforces Bluewater’s position as a leading retail destination but also highlights the continued confidence in bricks-and-mortar retail that we’re seeing. We will be announcing more details on the new NEXT store in due course, with an expected opening date to be shared as soon as possible.”
NEXT’s current Bluewater unit covers 44,600 sq ft, and the new space marks a major investment in physical retail. The move comes amid a broader uplift in Bluewater’s tenant mix, with recent arrivals including SpaceNK, HARIBO, Sephora, Pull&Bear, Bershka, Aesop, Lindex, and Peter Alexander.
