REDDITCH’S Kingfisher Centre has bucked the national trend after being named as one of the top 20 shopping centres in the entire country.

The centre has moved up to position 20, among the likes of the Manchester Arndale, the Bullring, Merryhill, Bluewater and The Trafford Centre.

The top 20 list has been compiled by Trevor Wood Associates, a leading independent provider of iformation on all retail and leisure schemes in the UK.

The company uses research based on footfall, size, relative attractiveness of shops and facilities available to rank the UK’s top shopping centres.

The Kingfisher, which measures 1,100,000 sq ft, scored 4,622 points, just 134 points behind nearest rival Telford Shopping Centre, in position 19.

A spokesman for Trevor Wood Associates said: “The Redditch Kingfisher Centre has bucked the national trend by moving up a place to number 20, this follows lettings to the like of B & M and Family Bargains.

“The Kingfisher is the only new entrant to the top 20, which saw all the other centres below Westfield Stratford City (London) drop a place.”

Over the last 12 months the Kingfisher Centre has seen an influx of new stores including B & M Bargains, 99p Store and a vast amount of temporary retailers taking up shop, which has meant the centre’s occupancy levels increasing and footfall most weeks through the year being up against the national average. This growth is set to continue in 2012, with interest in the old T J Hughes unit, with sit down food eateries.

Perminder Dhillon, the centre manager, said: “The interest in the old T J Hughes unit with a sit down food offer will inevitably increase footfall and add value to our existing food offer. “This will certainly help in increasing the centre’s profile in 2012 and most of all offer shoppers more choice when they are shopping with us.”

For more details about shops, competitions, and what’s going on at the Kingfisher, visit kingfishershopping.com.