Two new stores open at Bluewater in time for Christmas and a Yankee Candle experience is on the way

Two new shops opened this week at Bluewater just in time for Christmas - and a festive tour of a famous candle brand is arriving soon. The Yankee Candle Express will arrive at the shopping centre in Greenhithe on Friday, December 13 and will stay until Sunday, December 15.

It promises a cosy and inviting space where you can experience festive fragrance. Shoppers can also enjoy a free photobooth and hot chocolate.

The event in Winter Garden Square, which will feature everything from the smell of cinnamon to pine trees, is open between noon and 8pm on the Friday (December 13), 10am to 6pm on the Saturday (December 14), and 11am to 5pm on the Sunday (December 15). Each visitor will be given a gift bag of festive fragrance to take home.

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Fragrance expert at Yankee Candle, Taylor Perlis, said: “Smell can transport us in an instant, evoking nostalgic memories that are tied to special moments in our lives, whilst also creating new moments that turn into memories.”

Meanwhile Spanish fashion brands, Bershka and Pull&Bear, opened their first Kent stores at the shopping centre on Thursday (November 21). They each have 10,000 sq ft shops on the Lower Rose Gallery, between Claire’s and Office.

The Bershka store sells its three lines, Bershka, BSK, and Man, while Pull&Bear has its full collection of men's and womenswear. Bershka was founded in 1998 for "adventurous young people, who are aware of the latest trends and interested in music, new technology and social media".

Its womenswear has the Bershka and BSK lines. The former has "trend-led pieces with a range of denim, casual-wear and evening wear, whilst the latter focuses on pop-culture".

Bershka Man is casualwear, sportswear and fashion-led trend pieces. Bershka also sells accessories and footwear.

Pull&Bear was set up in 1991 and has almost 1,000 stores worldwide. It takes "the latest international trends, mixing them with the influences that are seen on the street and in the most fashionable clubs, and reworking into comfortable, easy-to-wear garments".

Luxury cosmetics brand Aesop opened at Bluewater on Monday (November 18) and beauty retailer Sephora opened last Sunday (November 17), with Swedish fashion brand Lindex set to open on Thursday (November 28). There is free parking at Bluewater.

The address for the shopping centre is: Bluewater, Greenhithe, DA9 9ST.

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