Inside eerie abandoned Scots shopping centre that has been left to rot for 20 years…
THIS is the eerie abandoned shopping centre left to rot for 20 years.
The shopping[1] complex was once home to over 40 stores and was a premium spot for designer clothes.
2
The village opened as a luxury designer outlet and was very popular when it first openedCredit: Mirrorpix
2
But it has laid derelict since 2004 when the final shop moved outCredit: Mirrorpix
The Five Sisters Freeport Shopping Village in West Lothian was built in 1996 and was visited by over one million customers in its first year.
And the 50,000-square-foot complex boasted shops such as Calvin Klein, DKNY, Versace and Levi’s.
It also had two cafes and two restaurants as well as a Lesuireland with an entertainment centre and go-karts.
But the huge centre lost its momentum in the early 2000s with the last retailer moving out in 2004.
Before its closure, the complex saw plans for an £18million upgrade that would add features like a golf course and a snow centre including ski slopes, toboggan runs and snowboard.
But the upgrade never came to life as shoppers tended to opt for Livingston Designer Outlet which was built in 2000.
The opening of the Designer Village was the beginning of Five Sister’s downfalls and tenants began leaving with the final one departing just four years later.
Now the abandoned village remains derelict nearly 20 years after it closed.
Most read in Money
The empty site was even used by the BBC for a 2005 zombie children’s show.
In 2021 West Lothian Council rejected hopes of redeveloping the site into houses.
But the council did say they were keen to see it redeveloped.
A spokesperson said at the time: “The redevelopment, or reuse, of Westwood (Freeport), near West Calder, previously operating as a factory outlet centre is supported by the council.
“Leisure and tourist use, specialised employment, starter units (Class 4), or institutional uses appropriate to a rural location will be supported.
“Some element of new or extended building out with the development envelope on-site and/or housing (very low density and a maximum of 30 house meriting a rural location, all confined to the development envelope) will be considered, where this is shown to be necessary in terms of the financial viability of an appropriate scheme.”