Few people from Fleetwood - if any - will have ever visited the US state of Maine situated on the edge of the country's north-eastern coast. But its New England charm inspired what many consider to be Fleetwood's biggest tourist attraction.
Freeport, as it was originally known and continues to be called despite a rebranding seven years ago, was named after the tiny coastal American conurbation. The retail village on the Fylde Coast, which opened in 1995, is decked in cladding with a distinct nautical theme serving as a constant reminder of the seaside link Fleetwood shares with Freeport in Cumberland County.
Now officially called Affinity Lancashire, in line with the group's other former Freeports in Staffordshire, Devon and Sterling Mills, the popular shopping village attracts millions of visitors a year. Freeport is a draw for coach-loads of shoppers from across the UK whose trips typically include a visit to the local market.
While traditional high streets have declined as online shopping becomes the norm, with a depressing number of empty stores in most town centres, all of Freeport's indoor units remain occupied. And this is despite the loss of 'anchor tenant' Marks and Spencer which departed the shopping village in 2018.
"When M&S went it had a big hit on Freeport," says Maureen Boardman from nearby Poulton. "But Freeport is usually busy and very much so in the summer."
Mary, another regular, believes that Freeport is "still relevant" despite the challenges facing the retail industry. "It's not just about shopping," she says.
"You can come here and look round the shops, have some lunch or a coffee, walk round the marina, and you get the whole experience. And it's free parking too."
Fleetwood's local economy was once reliant on its fishing industry. But the impact of the infamous Cod Wars resigned its role as one of Britain's top three ports to the history books.
"When I was a little girl the docks were packed with boats," Mary adds. "Then when it all went, after the fallout with Iceland, Fleetwood had to find a way to survive. And Freeport has helped the town to do that; without Freeport, what's Fleetwood got?"
When it comes to buying Christmas presents Freeport is the destination of choice for David Cropper. "My daughter-in-law's a vegan so I always come to The Body Shop here to find something for her," he says.
The continuing popularity of Freeport's Body Shop store is not insignificant. Last year the company closed 198 shops after going into administration in the February.
"There was an impact when Marks and Sparks closed," David adds. "But there's still plenty here to attract shoppers. And it's a nice place; it's well looked-after, it's clean and it's calm."
For some shoppers supporting Freeport is vital to Fleetwood's survival. "You don't know what you've got until it's gone," Jane Rishton, from Thornton, says wisely.
"If we don't use these places then they'll go. And it'll be too late to moan about it then. High streets have pretty much gone but the likes of Freeport have a good chance of standing the test of time."