Inside the UK’s deserted rotting buying village the place all 40 shops shut down
The Five Sisters Freeport Shopping Village in West Lothian, Scotland, was once a thriving destination for shoppers attracting one million visitors in its first year. Now it stands empty after all 40 of its stores closed down in the early 2000s
The site sits deserted between Edinburgh and Glasgow near the M8 motorway(Image: Mirror/YouTube/Bearded Reality)
A deserted shopping village in Scotland has been left to decay after all 40 of its outlets closed their doors. The Five Sisters Freeport Shopping Village in West Lothian once drew massive crowds following its launch in the 1990s.
Now, the complex lies abandoned between Edinburgh and Glasgow beside the M8 motorway. The retail hub first welcomed shoppers in September 1996 and spanned approximately 50,000 square feet. Upon opening, it boasted more than 40 outlets and housed renowned brands including Versace, DKNY and Calvin Klein.
It also featured a Leisureland attraction complete with an entertainment centre and soft play area, with plans to introduce additional leisure amenities down the line.
During its inaugural year, the shopping village is said to have drawn roughly one million visitors. After that initial triumph, proposals were put forward to West Lothian Council for an £18million expansion, reports the Express.
The plans encompassed new leisure enhancements such as snow facilities, a children’s winter wonderland and a golf course. Those proposals were never realised. The launch of Livingston Designer Outlet in 2000 is commonly believed to have contributed to the shopping village’s downfall.
Numerous shoppers started flocking to the newer outlet instead. In a relatively short timeframe, footfall at Five Sisters started to plummet.
By late 2001, the centre’s future was already in doubt. Freeport chairman Sean Collidge previously stated: “This scheme was 100% let when it opened in 1996 and had four tremendous years. Then retail in Scotland became overpopulated in the central belt.”
As visitor numbers plummeted, retailers began departing. Some moved to alternative retail parks, while others shut down entirely. In November 2004, management opted to close the centre following years of falling trade.
Since its closure, the structures have remained largely vacant. The location has been left to deteriorate and sections of the car park are now choked with weeds. The former retail village has allegedly served as a backdrop for zombie-themed movies and TV programmes due to its derelict state.
Various attempts have been made to regenerate the location over the years, including plans for residential development. Yet none of the proposed schemes have materialised.
A West Lothian Council spokesperson previously commented: “The re-development, or re-use, of Westwood (Freeport), near West Calder, previously operating as a factory outlet centre, is supported by the council.
“Leisure and tourist uses, specialised employment, starter units (Class 4), or institutional uses appropriate to a rural location will be supported.”
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