A brief history

Founded in July 1994 Freeport was listed on the London Stock Exchange. It has grown to become a leading developer and operator of retailer outlet villages in Europe. UK Property Company of the Year in 1999, Freeport was one of the pioneers bringing the US concept of outlet centres to Europe.

Major milestones:

1994 – Hornsea, East coast of Yorkshire opened

1995 – Fleetwood, West Lancashire opened

1996 – West Lothian, Scotland opened

1999 - Talke nr Stoke-on-Trent, Staffs opened

1999 – Castleford, West Yorkshire opened

1999 - Braintree, Essex opened

2001 – Freeport’s first centre in mainland Europe was opened by Claudia Schiffer in Gothenburg, Sweden.

2003 – Kleinhaugsdorf/Hate on the Czech-Austrian border, Freeport opened the first outlet development in the Czech Republic.

2004 – Alcochete Outlet opened at 75,000 m2 one of the largest in Europe

March 2004 – Freeport introduced Hermes as a 99% investor into the Hermes Freeport LP. As a result Freeport now own 1% of that partnership which includes: Braintree, Castleford and Fleetwood.

March 2004 – Freeport Talke sold to Hermes.

March 2005 – Freeport Hornsea sold to a consortium of private investors.

September 2007 – CEREP Investment II Sarl, part of the Carlyle Group, acquired the Freeport Group. Freeport plc was re-registered as a private company and changed its name to Freeport

May 2008 – construction work started at Alsace International Outlet at Roppenheim (France).