Hooded sweatshirts banned from the Bluewater shopping centre

The Bluewater shopping centre has become one of the first shopping centre's in the UK to ban the wearing of hooded sweatshirts and caps. Primarily as a response to gangs of teenagers behaving antisocially. The centre feared that families would be put off visiting the centre if hooded groups of 'intimidating' teens wandered freely.

Bluewater state, they have always taken great pride in being a family and child orientated company. Bluewater has, for two consecutive years, won the 'Parent Friendly Awards' for 2004/2005. Therefore, it comes as no surprise that a 'zero' tolerance policy was ushered in by the companies management. The complex has an on-site police patrol, who have given their full backing to the centre's scheme.

When it opened in 1999, Bluewater was Europe's largest retail and leisure destination. In the early 1990's, out of town shopping centres began to be developed in the UK. Meadowhall was the first, based in Sheffield, and located next to the M1 motorway. The phenomenal success of Meadowhall created a wave effect, with centres being built in major cities such as Manchester.

There were plans for more out of town shopping centres to be built. However, the negative effect of Meadowhall upon the retail development of Sheffield city centre forced the UK government to shelve any further plans. Bluewater does differ, it wasn't built on the edge of a town or city, situated near the Dartford crossing, it features a fabulous rural location, and is placed amongst towering cliffs, lakes, and parkland.