works completed in October 2012, McDonald's, KFC and Harry Ramsden's returned to their post, along with several new food outlets, most significantly a new Giraffe restaurant which had been constructed adjacent to McDonald's. The previous large 'castle'-style McDonald's was replaced with a simple serving counter. A proposal was put forward in early 2013 to expand the West Village dining and specialist retail area currently sited off the Guildhall. This currently comprises a Waterstones bookshop, a training and recruitment facility, and Costa Coffee shop on the upper mall, and on the lower mall a row of boutique retailers including The Daily Grind, Mr Simms Olde Sweet Shop, Gusto & Daisy's Dog Emporium leading out to a suite of restaurants including Carluccio's, PizzaExpress and Loch Fyne Restaurants amongst others. The proposal would see much of the existing infrastructure demolished and replaced with a new larger two-level 'specialist retail' area, similar to 'The Village' at Westfield London, with upmarket retail and restaurant facilities and mall access to both levels. Existing businesses would have to be relocated or removed from the centre to allow the works to go ahead. The centre is visited by over 27 million people a year and employs around 7,000 people. Architecture The principal architect was Eric Kuhne. Other firms involved in the design and branding were Benoy, BDG McColl, RTKO, Henrion Ludlow & Schmidt and Minale Tattersfield. The main building is a triangle of three malls: Thames Walk, Guildhall and Rose Gallery, with one anchor store at each corner. Curved and tapered glass sections form the roofing over each mall, providing significant natural lighting. The roof vents are inspired by Kentish oast houses. There are statues of historic trades along the walls above the upper level. Transport There are over 13,000 free parking spaces, in six car parks. Rail The nearest railway station to Bluewater is Greenhithe for Bluewater, 1.7 miles away. It is served by Southeastern and Thameslink trains to Luton, London Cannon Street, London Charing Cross, London Victoria, Gravesend and Rainham. Buses Arriva Southern Counties (including Fastrack A and B), Go Coach, Ensignbus, National Express and London Buses routes serve Bluewater bus station. References External links Bluewater on The Retail Database Shopping centres in Kent Borough of Dartford Shopping malls established in 1999 Prudential plc Lendlease 1999 establishments in England