Looking Back Over The Years

York Designer Outlet opened its doors on 12th November 1998, but its history goes even further back.

It was widely known that the Centre’s predecessor was Naburn Maternity Hospital where an estimated 70,000 babies were born during its lifetime, including some of the staff who now work at York Designer Outlet!

Going back even further in time the land's historical roots can be traced to the early 1900s when the site housed the York City Asylum!  The mental institution was built in 1906 to house the overflow of patients in the York area and from institutions across the country, with the original plans of the building almost mirroring the current layout of the Outlet – spooky!

Research discovered at the Borthwick Institute of Archives at the University of York revealed that during World War II, the location served as a Prisoner of War camp. There is little evidence about the hospital’s experience during the wars, sparking questions about what the site would have been like at the time. 

Since the centre opened in 1998, we have welcomed an impressive 80 million guests. M&S stands as one of the longest-serving brands with over 6.6 million items sold and more than 17.7 million customers walking through its door since 2008. Starbucks has brewed over 6 million cups of coffee during this time. 

Looking back over the years, York Designer Outlet has not only been a joyous shopping destination, but a valuable part of the local community.  In November 2011, skating legends Torvill and Dean opened Yorkshire's Winter Wonderland, taking to the ice to light up the 30ft Christmas tree and meeting fans. The Centre has always celebrated the sporting successes of the local area; in 2012, it hosted a party for Yorkshire Olympians who returned after success in the London Olympics while 2014 saw the Centre transform into a spectator hub for the Tour de France. 

There’s been so much history made over the years and we can’t wait to see what the next 25 years have in store!

Be sure to check out our timeline next to Le Creuset.