Rushden Lakes opened to the public in July 2017 and since then has seen more than 26 million people visit the retail and leisure complex.
The site, just off the A45 which used to be gravel pits and was home to the Skew Bridge Country Club and dry ski slope, attracts visitors from Rushden and all across the county, as well as those who travel from further afield including Cambridgeshire, Lincolnshire and Leicestershire.
The development has created more than 2,000 jobs in retail and leisure and undoubtedly boosted the local economy too.
But while the shops and restaurants have been open for five years, the site’s history goes back much further than that.
We’ve gone into our archives to take a look at the development from its very early days as Skew Bridge before plans started emerging to transform it into a shopping mecca, through the subsequent construction stage and then bringing it up-to-date with how the retail and leisure attraction is now.
Scroll down to take a look at a selection of photos which show how Rushden Lakes used to look and the transformation which has taken place over the years.
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Rushden Lakes Photo: National World
. Rushden Lakes over the years
Rushden Lakes is where the Skew Bridge Ski Club used to be Photo: Archive
. Rushden Lakes over the years
The Rushden Lakes pressure group meeting at the site of the old Skew Bridge and the new proposed Rushden Lakes development back in March 2013 Photo: Alison Bagley
. Rushden Lakes over the years
How the Skew Bridge site looked in June 2014 Photo: Alison Bagley
. Rushden Lakes over the years
How the Skew Bridge site looked in June 2014 Photo: Alison Bagley
. Rushden Lakes over the years
Eric Pickles, then Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, visits the site with MP Peter Bone and the supporters of the Yes campaign when the scheme was finally approved in June 2014 Photo: Alison Bagley
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Rushden Lakes supporters with original Skew Bridge owner John Wills (seated) and contractor John Boyce (business development manager Barton Plant and The Bennie Group) in August 2014 with the old Skew Bridge site being cleared for work to begin Photo: Alison Bagley
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The steel structure for Marks and Spencer in June 2016 Photo: Alison Bagley
. Rushden Lakes over the years
Work progressing on the Rushden Lakes site in July 2016 Photo: National World
. Rushden Lakes over the years
Work progressing on the Rushden Lakes site in July 2016 Photo: National World
. Rushden Lakes over the years
The new footbridge over the A45 to Rushden Lakes from Waitrose (July 2017) Photo: Alison Bagley
1. Rushden Lakes over the years
Rushden Lakes is where the Skew Bridge Ski Club used to be Photo: Archive
2. Rushden Lakes over the years
The Rushden Lakes pressure group meeting at the site of the old Skew Bridge and the new proposed Rushden Lakes development back in March 2013 Photo: Alison Bagley
3. Rushden Lakes over the years
How the Skew Bridge site looked in June 2014 Photo: Alison Bagley
4. Rushden Lakes over the years
How the Skew Bridge site looked in June 2014 Photo: Alison Bagley