Latest news with #Bluewater
The Sun
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
I'm 5ft1 & found two of the best summer co-ords from Primark – the elasticated waistbands are flattering on all bodies
IF you're on a mission to find a gorgeous co-ord that's sure to turn heads this summer, you've come to the right place. A fashionista has found not just one, but two stunning sets that are incredibly stylish and affordable too. So if your purse is feeling the pinch, fear not, you won't have to break the bank to look glam this season. Pia Grace Smith, a content creator who describes herself as 'your 5ft1 clothes guru', took to social media to show off her latest Primark haul, leaving many totally stunned. Not only did she try on a beautiful red co-ord and a floaty white maxi skirt, but the brunette beauty also nabbed two co-ords that you won't want to miss. Alongside the short clip, the influencer wrote: 'Primark I am sat!!!! Wow how unreal girls.' Pia, who is from the UK, was left beaming with her new purchases, which she nabbed from the Primark store in Bluewater, Dartford. The young woman was lucky enough to get her hands on the Embroidered Mini Skirt, which pairs perfectly with the Embroidered Halter Neck Vest. Both are just £16, bringing the total cost of the set to £32. The halter vest is complete with an open back, tie fastenings and scalloped trim, making it a real statement piece for warm days. The intricate blue floral and paisley embroidery is sure to impress, while Primark bosses claim the elasticated waistband of the skirt keeps it 'comfortable and easy to wear.' The tiered mini skirt adds texture to any outfit, making it a great choice for everyday plans or sunny weekends. What's new in at Primark for spring-summer Not only this, but Pia was also impressed with her second Primark co-ord, as she paired the Postcard Puff Sleeve Crop Top with the matching Postcard Print Poplin Shorts. The unique tropical print cropped top has a stylish square neckline and at £13, we think it's a real steal. Top Primark summer buys IF you're looking for more Primark summer buys, then you've come to the right place. Shoppers have recently been raving about the new Miffy PJs from Primark. Others were desperate to nab the new leopard print nightwear. If animal print is your thing, you'll want to check out the new maxi skirts. The haltnerneck tops are perfect for summer. If you're on a budget, these trousers are identical to a pair from Zara, but without the hefty price tag. There's brilliant travel essentials for less than £10. And if you plan on heading to the beach, you won't want to miss these crochet bags. It's sure to brighten up your day thanks to the hibiscus flowers, palm trees, and bold tile-style patterns in vibrant colours. The matching shorts are £12 and the drawstring waist is one that's perfect for bloated days. The sunny day staple is made from lightweight cotton, whilst offering an elasticated waistband for comfort. So if you're searching for a co-ord that will flatter any body shape, you'll need to move fast to your nearest Primark store. These two new sets are sure to be winners with many fashion fans this summer and when worn together, will be ideal for garden parties, holidays, beach days and beyond. Fashionistas beam The Instagram clip, which was posted under the username @ pia_gracesmith, has clearly left many open-mouthed, as it has quickly racked up 256,000 views, 4,418 likes and 103 comments. Why Primark is great for looking expensive on a budget By Clemmie Feildsend, Fabulous Fashion Editor AS someone who's no stranger to grabbing a last-minute outfit from Primark for a night out, it's about time that celebrities started catching on too. For as long as I've been heading out, Primark has been my go-to for those 'I have nothing to wear' moments, rushing in at the last minute to find something perfect. And I'm definitely not alone - on any Friday or Saturday night, you'll find plenty of shoppers doing the same thing, right before closing time. But no matter what, Primark always delivers. Now, Rita Ora is leading the charge, showing that you can snag a designer-worthy look without spending a fortune at high-end stores. While Rita's not rushing in last minute for a red carpet outfit, she's proving you can achieve the same high-impact style for much less. Looking stunning in her tailored suit alongside her mum Vera, Rita fit right in among the other A-listers dripping in Prada, Dior, and Victoria Beckham - if anything, she looked even better than some of the guests at The Fashion Awards. With Myleene Klass and Roxy Horner already jumping on the Primark bandwagon, I'm sure more stars will be following suit soon enough. Fashion fans were left gushing with Pia's Primark haul and many eagerly rushed to the comments to share their thoughts on her purchases. One person said: 'Obsessed every time.' Another added: 'I'm getting it all.' Meanwhile, a third gasped: 'Can't believe these are from Primark!! Wow.' Whilst someone else chimed in: 'Taking my behind to Primark this weekend.'
Yahoo
11-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Major retailer to triple store size at Bluewater shopping centre
A large retailer is set to triple its presence in a major shopping centre. Bluewater has announced that Next will expand its store size in the Kent-based shopping centre, making it one of the largest in the UK. The new store is set to open in 2026. The store will feature a range of new products, including men's, women's, and children's clothing, homeware, and a café. The American-based global beauty brand, Bath and Body Works, will also be relocated into a 2,000 sq ft neighbouring store. The current 44,600 sq ft NEXT store will be replaced by a 133,000 sq ft store, which was previously occupied by House of Fraser. The current NEXT and Bath and Body Works stores will continue to trade normally throughout 2025. James Waugh, centre director at Bluewater, said: "We're thrilled to see NEXT significantly expanding its presence here at Bluewater, following many successful years in its current space. "This move not only reinforces Bluewater's position as a leading retail destination but also highlights the continued confidence in bricks-and-mortar retail that we're seeing." For more information, visit the Bluewater website.
Daily Mail
06-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Islamist terrorist who plotted to attack iconic shopping centre and nightclub with 'dirty bomb' is deported to Pakistan
One of the UK's most dangerous terrorists jailed for life over a plot to bomb the Bluewater shopping centre has been deported to Pakistan. Jawad Akbar, 23, plotted to blow up Bluewater shopping centre in Kent, bomb the Ministry of Sound nightclub in London and set off a radioactive 'dirty' bomb. The 2004 attacks would have caused huge damage and could have killed hundreds of innocent people. Akbar, from Crawley, West Sussex, was sentenced to life in April 2007 after being found guilty of conspiracy to cause explosions. He was given a minimum term of 17-and-a-half years. In July 2022, the Parole Board deemed him too dangerous to be released. One of the main considerations was that the UK could not be sure that Akbar would be adequately supervised if he was deported. Akbar's minimum jail term ended in September 2021 and he should have been eligible for a second parole hearing sometime in 2023. However, MailOnline has discovered this did not happen and he was deported to Pakistan in the last year. As well as targeting the shopping centre, he also plotted to bomb the Ministry of Sound nightclub in London and set off a radioactive 'dirty' bomb The Home Office confirmed that Akbar, now 41, was deported. It is believed this went ahead under a joint 'returns agreement' scheme signed in 2019 by the Conservative government and Pakistan. The then Home Secretary Priti Patel said the legislation would be used to return foreign criminals and immigration offenders from the UK to Pakistan. She said at the time: 'I make no apology for removing dangerous foreign criminals and immigration offenders who have no right to remain in the UK. 'The British public have quite rightly had enough of people abusing our laws and gaming the system so we can't remove them.' The Home Office refuses to comment on individual cases and declined to elaborate on the reasons why the committed terrorist was allowed to return to Pakistan, where he was born. In a statement, a Home Office spokesperson said: 'Any foreign national who is convicted of a crime and given a prison sentence is considered for deportation at the earliest opportunity.' The Home Office had originally tried to deport him to Italy, where his father has citizenship. It is believed the family first moved to Italy after leaving Pakistan. Akbar was part of a five strong British born or British resident gang of Pakistani heritage linked to Al-Qaeda in Pakistan. Waheed Mahmood, 35, Omar Khyam, 25, Anthony Garcia, 24, Salahuddin Amin, 32, were the other defendants in the 2006 trial. All five were handed life sentences. During the trial it was revealed the gang were poised to attack the shopping centre with a massive device, made for just £100 containing ammonium nitrate and aluminium powder. The home-made bomb was made from household ingredients, inspired by the Oklahoma City bomber Tim McVeigh, who killed 168 people with an almost identical device in 1995. At the time, judge Sir Michael Astill QC, said: 'All of you were determined to cause indiscriminate death, injury and suffering of unsuspecting and innocent members of the community.' 'This was demonstrated by the discussions that took place about where improvised devices could be placed, such as the Bluewater retail complex and the Ministry of Sound. 'These are examples of sites where numerous members of the public congregated and became vulnerable targets. 'They demonstrate the scale of horror, which you were prepared to inflict and would have inflicted but for the intervention of the security services and the police.' Waheed Mahmood and Anthony Garcia were freed on parole in 2024. Salahuddin Amin had a parole request turned down in February 2024.
Associated Press
25-04-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
ERA Global and Bluewater Expand the Global Launch Summit in 2025, Driving International Industry Growth
BRUSSELS, BE / ACCESS Newswire / April 25, 2025 / Following the success of its inaugural year, the Global Launch Summit by ERA Global returns to Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas on September 15-17, 2025. The event-designed to connect global industry leaders, product marketers, and innovators-will continue to expand opportunities for international business growth. 'Last year's ERA Global stateside show, aptly rebranded as the Global Launch Summit, focused on international marketing expansion, AI, and a variety of other digital technologies that are transforming the marketing landscape around the world. It was a tremendous success-offering value, education, and, as always, a lot of fun for our attendees,' said Jonathan Gregory, President and CEO of Oak Lawn Marketing International Inc. and ERA Global Chairman Elect. 'The feedback we received was extremely positive, and I'm thrilled that Bluewater has stepped up once again to offer their expertise in advertising and promotion.' 'The overwhelming success of the first Global Launch Summit reinforced the need for a dedicated space for global product expansion,' said Andy Latimer, CEO of Bluewater. 'This year, we're building on that foundation to create even more opportunities for brands to scale internationally.' A Gateway to Global Market Expansion The Global Launch Summit remains a premier opportunity for businesses looking to grow internationally. The event offers exclusive insights into AI-driven marketing, global distribution strategies, and cross-border expansion. Attendees will gain access to a robust network of international experts, including e-commerce leaders, retail distributors, direct-to-consumer marketers, and product development innovators. With over 50 countries represented, the summit provides a practical roadmap for brands aiming to launch and scale globally. Registration & Sponsorship Opportunities Registration for the 2025 Global Launch Summit is now open. Sponsorship opportunities are also available for brands seeking to showcase their solutions to a global audience. For more information and to secure your spot, visit About ERA Global ERA Global is the leading international trade association for companies in the multi-channel, direct-to-consumer industry. Through networking events, industry advocacy, and strategic partnerships, ERA Global fosters innovation and global business expansion. About Bluewater Bluewater is a fully converged advertising agency and production studio specializing in performance marketing, digital strategy, and brand storytelling. With expertise in global campaign execution, Bluewater drives measurable results for brands seeking to expand their reach. About Oak Lawn Marketing Oak Lawn Marketing International is a wholly owned subsidiary of Oak Lawn Marketing Inc., based in Tokyo, Japan. Operating under the Shop Japan brand, the OLM Group has delivered the most innovative, problem-solving products from around the world to Japanese consumers for over 30 years. As a purpose-driven company, OLM strives to improve the lives of its customers by bringing the best the world has to offer to their doorsteps. Contact InformationPia Willms ERA Global Event DirectorERA GLOBAL Madeleine Sky Director, Marketing & Operations 8139442926 SOURCE: ERA Global press release
Mid East Info
18-02-2025
- Business
- Mid East Info
Bluewater Achieves Showstopping Brand Success in UAE and Middle East After World of Coffee Trade Show in Dubai
Dubai, UAE, February 16, 2025 — Bluewater, a globally recognized leader in innovative water purification and beverage solutions for home, work, and play, has achieved a breakthrough in brand awareness across the UAE and the Middle East following a highly successful engagement at the Dubai World of Coffee trade show. Held at the Dubai World Trade Centre in early February, the event proved the perfect platform for Bluewater to showcase its cutting-edge products and sustainability mission, drawing widespread attention from coffee professionals, UAE businesses, and local and international media – and winning the accolade of Best New Product for the game-changing Bluewater Café Station. Highlighting Bluewater's presence was the debut of the brand's Café Station, recently named a 2024 'Best Buy' for specialty coffee shops by the The Caterer Magazine. The solution – slated as the next evolution in the coffee industry – attracted unprecedented footfall to the Bluewater booth, with hundreds of visitors eager to experience the benefits of its advanced water purification technology firsthand. The immense interest and positive feedback from industry professionals cemented Bluewater's status as a premier water solutions provider for specialty coffee establishments, Horeca businesses, and consumers across the Arabic. In close collaboration with its local UAE distribution partner, NIA, Bluewater's participation in the trade show further solidified its position as a major player in the UAE's water sector. NIA CEO Kamran Khan expressed his enthusiasm about the growing recognition of Bluewater's products, stating, 'We are thrilled to witness the overwhelming response to Bluewater's innovative solutions. The engagement at World of Coffee Dubai has reinforced Bluewater Brand's leadership in sustainable water purification and beverage solutions, marking a significant milestone in our joint journey to provide pristine drinking water across the region.' Beyond its trade show booth, Bluewater made a tangible impact on the event by strategically placing its state-of-the-art water dispensers – including the outdoor City Station, offering digital signage options via two giant 55-inch screens – at key locations around the venue. These dispensers provided thousands of visitors with free, purified drinking water, encouraging them to refill their reusable bottles and actively support sustainability efforts. This initiative demonstrated the commitment by Bluewater and NIA to reducing single-use plastic waste and promoting eco-conscious hydration practices. Further amplifying its sustainability efforts, Bluewater has now affiliated with the Dubai Can initiative and is officially listed as a supplier on the Dubai Can website. Dubai Can, a visionary initiative launched by the Crown Prince of Dubai, aims to reduce single-use plastic waste and encourage the use of refillable water bottles across the city. Bluewater's participation in this initiative marks a significant step toward establishing itself as a key player in the region's sustainability movement. Commenting on the partnership, NIA's Kamran Khan emphasized the significance of this collaboration, saying, 'Dubai Can's invitation for providers like us to become exclusive suppliers of water filtration systems is a testament to the quality and sustainability of the Bluewater solutions. By signing up, we have joined a cause that directly contributes to reducing single-use plastics around the city.' Bluewater's Founder and CEO, Bengt Rittri, who was recently recognized as a top 2025 ecopreneur by the UK's British Sublime lifestyle magazine, expressed his pride in supporting Dubai Can's mission. 'We are deeply honored to be associated with and committed to this sustainability initiative spearheaded by the Crown Prince of Dubai. It's an important city-wide movement that champions a refill culture, reduces plastic waste, and safeguards our oceans and marine life for generations to come. Our goal is to help provide residents and visitors in Dubai with safe, great-tasting drinking water while driving a culture of refill-conscious consumerism.' Rittri further highlighted the alignment of Bluewater's mission with Dubai Can, stating, 'We admire Dubai Can's efforts to reduce waste and prevent millions of plastic bottles from ending up in landfills. At Bluewater, we are dedicated to pioneering innovative water purification solutions that empower individuals and businesses to make sustainable choices without compromising on quality or convenience.' With the overwhelming success at the World of Coffee trade show and its growing footprint in the UAE and Middle East, Bluewater is poised to lead the region's shift toward sustainable, high-quality drinking water solutions. As the company continues to expand its reach, its unwavering commitment to innovation, sustainability, and consumer well-being will remain at the core of its mission. For media inquiries, please contact: Bluewater local press inquiries UAE/GCC, contact: Hannah Hall, +971 52 549 3067 / hannah@ NIA media inquiries, please contact: Rohith Thomas, Asst Manager – Marketing & Communications, rohith@ / +971 56 5391445 About Bluewater Founded in 2013 in Stockholm, Sweden, Bluewater has set its sights on being the world's most planet-friendly water purification and beverage company by innovating and marketing disruptive hydration solutions for home, work, and play. Honoured with two Fast Company World Changing Ideas Awards, a K&B Kitchen Innovation of the Year Award, and a coveted 2024 GOOD DESIGN® Award from the prestigious Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design, Bluewater products are available in the UAE and elsewhere across the GCC region to consumers, hotel and catering operations, event and venue organizations, and educational institutions. Discover how Bluewater empowers businesses and consumers to achieve unparalleled water and beverage excellence here. About NIA NIA is a leading supplier of quality and innovative HVAC solutions, living appliances and well-being products to the Middle East region; driven by the pursuit to bring the best products to the home and workplace. Its operations are administered through a network of subsidiary companies in the United Arab Emirates and other parts of the GCC with its office registered in JAFZA.
