BLUEWATER’S Paul Lucchinelli has been named Out Of Town Centre Manager Of The Year.

The 2003 Sceptre Award from Shopping Centre, the business monthly for the retail property industry, recognises excellence in the shopping centre management industry in the UK.

The Australian, who now lives in Tonbridge, has been at Bluewater since November 2001. He was presented with a trophy at the awards dinner in London.

He has more than 23 years property management experience across a broad range of retail properties, including some of Australia's leading regional schemes.

He moved to the UK with his family in 2001 when he took up the post as general manager at Bluewater.

The Sceptre award continues a run of accolades for the Kent retail leisure destination including Retail Destination Of The Year 2003 and Best Shopping Venue For Groups.