Whereas most buying centres throughout Scotland at the moment can be swarmed with Boxing Day customers trying to nab a discount, one in West Lothian is totally abandoned.
5 Sisters Freeport Buying Village opened in 1996, however it now lies empty 26 years later. The buying centre as soon as included greater than 40 retailers and was claimed to be the nation's premier outlet for designer garments.
As reported by Edinburgh Dwell, the 50,000 sq. toes vacation spot introduced greater than 1 million customers to its doorways within the first yr it opened. At the moment, guests have been instructed that the premises could be prolonged to incorporate extra leisure amenities reminiscent of a snow centre and a golf course.
5 Sisters was positioned between Edinburgh and Glasgow by the M8 motorway, making it an ideal spot for Scots within the central belt of the nation. It was open every single day of the week and among the many manufacturers on provide have been Versace, DKNY, Calvin Klein, Rockport and Levis.
Guests might additionally get pleasure from a Leisureland facility, which included a smooth play centre, go karts, an leisure centre, and lots of extra actions for youngsters. Moreover, there have been cafes and eating places the place customers might seize a chew to eat.
When bosses determined they wished to increase the buying centre, they submitted an software for an £18 million extension to West Lothian Council.
The proposed improve included a snow centre with ski slopes, toboggan runs, snowboarding, and a youngsters’s winter wonderland.
Nevertheless, the plans by no means materialised as a result of firm's monetary worsening state of affairs. A major issue was the opening of the close by Livingston Designer Outlet in 2000 which companies and clients flocked to.
Only one yr later, lots of the retailers 5 Sisters Freeport Buying Village had closed their doorways, whereas others have been closely discounting their merchandise. By 2004, bosses had determined to shut the buying centre, and the positioning has been abandoned ever since.
Chairman of Freeport Sean Collidge confirmed on the time that the opening of the Livingston buying centre was the first purpose for the closure.
He said: “This scheme was 100 per cent let when it opened in 1996 and had 4 large years. Then retail in Scotland turned overpopulated within the central belt.”
West Lothian Council have refused calls to construct housing within the space however say of their Native Plan that they're eager to see it redeveloped.
A spokesperson stated: "The re-development, or re-use, of Westwood (Freeport), close to West Calder, beforehand working as a manufacturing unit outlet centre, is supported by the council.
"Leisure and vacationer makes use of, specialised employment, starter items (Class 4), or institutional makes use of acceptable to a rural location can be supported.
"Some aspect of recent or prolonged constructing outwith the event envelope on website and/or housing (very low density and a most of 30 homes meriting a rural location, all confined to the event envelope) can be thought-about, the place that is proven to be obligatory when it comes to the monetary viability of an acceptable scheme."
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