Spanish fashion giant Inditex has stepped up its presence at Bluewater with two deals. Zara is doubling its space in the Kent mega-mall, while Massimo Dutti is to open its fourth UK store at the complex.

Zara has agreed a deal with Lend Lease to surrender the lease on its existing 9,500 sq ft (880 sq m) single-level store and take a lease on the 17,000 sq ft (1,580 sq m), two-level unit on the Guild Hall mall, formerly occupied by Esprit. The store is due to open in September 2003.

Lend lease has found a taker for the former Zara unit in the form of branded fashion retailer Choice.

At the same time, Inditex has taken a 3,900 sq ft (360 sq m) unit in the Guild Hall mall for its Massimo Dutti format, which is due to open in September.

Bluewater general manager Paul Lucchinelli said: ‘We are continually evolving the retail offer at Bluewater, and the range and quality of high-end fashion retailers that we have secured in the Guild Hall is particularly strong.’