Historic Emmerdale and Heartbeat mill is now home to 75 firms

The iconic mill complex, where Yorkshire Television’s Emmerdale and Heartbeat were filmed, is now home to a new micro-brewery, a yoga studio, a restaurant and a massage clinic, together with a number of new and expanding small businesses.

Anahata Yoga is moving into the historic Old Combing building at Sunny Bank early in the New Year in the latest of the new lettings, while micro-brewery, Amity Brew, has opened in time for Christmas, with strict Covid-19 guidelines in place.

John Gaunt, joint managing director of Edwin Woodhouse and Co Ltd, the family company which owns Sunny bank Mills, said: “These are very exciting new lettings for us –

and we are absolutely delighted at the range of businesses who are now joining us at Sunny Bank Mills.

“The arrival of a yoga studio and a brewery, not to mention a new restaurant and a massage clinic, broadens our leisure appeal and provides wonderful new facilities for everyone who works at the mill and who lives in Farsley”.

During the past 10 years, the multi award-winning Sunny Bank Mills, one of the most famous family-owned mills in Yorkshire, has been transformed into a modern business and cultural, employment hub fit for the 21st century. It is now home to 75 companies, who employ a total of nearly 400 staff.

Joint managing director, William Gaunt, added: “This has been a very eventful last few weeks for us.

"As well as signing up these exciting new occupiers, we have just completed the £2m regeneration of Weavers’ Yard in the heart of the mill, which has transformed the

whole complex. We are looking forward to 2021 with confidence, despite the many challenges of 2020.”

Sarah McLaughlin, the owner of Anahata Yoga, said: “I wanted to open a studio with a real community feel and I absolutely love what Sunny Bank Mills has to offer.

“Filled with local businesses, art studios and designers, it just felt like the right place to be. In the heart of Farsley where I live, my studio's location was key and Sunny Bank Mills ticked all the boxes. The studio is a lovely big space, which is light and airy, so for me it offers the perfect setting for a yoga studio.

“I live locally and am a regular visitor to the Mill Kitchen, Grumpys and the Art Gallery, all housed at the Mill. I also love their Christmas Market."

Ms McLaughlin said that landlords John and William Gaunt have been “incredibly helpful” with her move.

“The Gaunts have been amazing from the moment I expressed an interest in the space at 12 Old Combing," she said.

"They have worked with me to fulfil my dream of opening a community yoga space, and without their flexibility and open-minded attitude, I wouldn't be in the position I am today."