Home Sign up for latest news About us Business Activities Responsibility Key Projects News & Media Careers Contact Us History and vision Historic timeline Financial Charity support Downloads Some of the landmarks that shape Peel today 1715: To accommodate larger ships Liverpool built the world’s first commercial wet dock. 1776: Driven by a desire to transport coal from his mines in Worsley to Manchester the Third Duke of Bridgewater, Francis Egerton, opens his canal which links Manchester with Runcorn and the River Mersey beyond. 1838: John Bright MP, a mill owner from Rochdale, emerges as one of the leaders of the free trade movement. 1850: Sir Robert Peel, Prime Minister and founder of the Metropolitan Police, dies. His hometown of Bury, where his father’s textile business Peel Mills was founded, mourns him and erects Peel Tower in his memory. 1882: Businessman Daniel Adamson becomes the champion of the Manchester Ship Canal although he does not live to see its completion in 1894. 1966: Formation of Clydeport under the Clyde Port Authority, a trust post, subsequently privatised in 1992. 1971 – 1983: John Whittaker, who started the Peel we know today, brings Peel Mills, John Bright’s and his own businesses of textiles, farming and quarries together. 1983: Peel Holdings p.l.c. is listed on the London Stock Exchange. 1983: Peel acquires Bridgewater Estates, which has a portfolio of 12,000 acres of land in and around Manchester and Salford. 1987: The future of the Manchester Ship Canal is secured when it is added to Peel’s portfolio of businesses. 1989: London Shop plc (renamed Peel South East) was acquired extending the Group’s geographical spread of investment portfolio. The London Shop portfolio included office and town centre properties, largely in the South East. 1997: Peel embarks on the creation of an airports group through the acquisition of 76% of Liverpool Airport, becoming wholly owned in 2000, later renamed Liverpool John Lennon Airport. 1998: The Trafford Centre opens after a long running planning process. 1999: Peel acquires former RAF Finningley site. Its redevelopment in 2005 turns it into the newest commercial airport in the UK and it is renamed Robin Hood Airport Doncaster Sheffield. 2003: Peel acquires Clydeport plc and its west coast Scottish ports. Peel also acquires a 75% stake in Durham Tees Valley Airport. 2004: Peel Holdings is taken private. 2005: Acquisition of the Mersey Docks and Harbour Company bringing together the Port of Liverpool and the Manchester Ship Canal with Clydeport and Medway Ports makes Peel Ports division the second largest ports group in the UK. 2007: Planning permission granted for MediaCityUK – the largest purpose-built media community in Europe. 2008: Peel propose a £50 billion investment strategy for the North West spanning the next 50 years named Ocean Gateway. 2009: Gloucester Quays Outlet opens. 2010: Vancouver Airport Services (now Vantage Airport Group) acquires a 65% share in Liverpool John Lennon Airport, Robin Hood Airport Doncaster Sheffield and Durham Tees Valley Airport. 2011: Intu Trafford Centre, delivered by The Peel Group, became part of Intu Properties plc. Also in 2011, Peel acquires a controlling interest (71% ) in Pinewood Shepperton Studios. 2012: Peel purchases the Lowry Outlet Mall at MediaCityUK. Peel Outlets operates the outlets at Gloucester Quays and MediaCityUK. Following restructuring in 2012 , Robin Hood Airport and Durham Tees Valley Airport were acquired by The Peel Group, retaining a 35% share in Liverppol John Lennon Airport. 2012/2013: Planning permission was given for the Peel Waters projects. Wirral Waters was granted planning permission in 2012 and Liverpool Waters received planning approval in 2013. A proud history of landmark events dating back to the 18th century Copyright © 2015 Peel - Privacy Policy - Cookie Settings