CONSTRUCTION of a £60m exhibition and events centre is set to begin at Bluewater shopping centre.

The Bluewater Events Venue is expected to open next year and host leisure and retail events.

Building the 5,200 square metre venue, due to start in spring, will create 600 construction jobs and 100 permanent positions.

The development by Lend Lease will be centred around a 3,000 sq m plaza and also includes 4,000 sq m of restaurant space.

It will be integrated into the shopping centre's main mall area and built alongside the existing 12-screen cinema.

The venue was designed by architects and exhibition experts Denton, Corker Marshall, which was responsible for the Stonehenge Visitors Centre.

Bluewater’s general manager Andrew Parkinson said: “In 1999, Lend Lease was credited with creating ‘the future of shopping’ at Bluewater.

“Ten years on, Bluewater is recognised as Europe’s leading retail and leisure destination.

“The Bluewater Events Venue reflects that same spirit and achievement.

“It is the perfect complement to our existing offer and will create additional reasons to visit Bluewater for both existing and new guests, and become a focal point for leisure and entertainment in the UK.

“The Bluewater Events Venue will also further stimulate the ongoing regeneration of the north west Kent region.”

Last year Bluewater, which receives 28 million visitors a year, celebrated its 10th anniversary.

Dartford Council leader Councillor Jeremy Kite said: “Bluewater is a fantastic catalyst for good in the area, not just in terms of creating opportunities for local people and businesses, but for demonstrating on an international scale what can be achieved by the public and private sectors having a shared sense of scale and ambition.

“Lend Lease’s decision also highlights its ongoing commitment to the area and we are confident that the Bluewater Events Venue will be a great success.”