People queue overnight as Sephora opens at Bluewater

The global beauty retailer opened its store in Kent on Wednesday

About 1,000 people queued to be among the first customers at Sephora's new Bluewater Shopping Centre store, according the company, including some who camped out overnight.

The global beauty retailer opened its store in Kent, its seventh in the UK, on Wednesday at 09:00 GMT.

Father and daughter Anthony and Dayma, from south-east London, told BBC Radio Kent they joined the queue at about 01:00.

Anthony said he slept in a camping chair to be with his daughter, who said she liked the brands in Sephora.

Others said they had been queuing since 21:00 on Tuesday.

Sephora, which sells make-up, fragrances, skincare, and haircare products, previously quit the country in 2005 and returned in March 2023 with a shop at Westfield London White City.

Mellissa Norris, who queued up overnight with her daughter, said she remembered when Sephora was first in Bluewater Shopping Centre.

Sarah Boyd, the company's manager director, said she thought the experience of the opening day was what made people want to queue.