Historic Leeds mill welcomes a raft of new retail and leisure offerings

Sunny Bank Mills complex in Farsley, once home as a set for Yorkshire Television’s Emmerdale and Heartbeat, continues to go from strength to strength by offering a home for a range of small independent retailers.

It is currently home to 91 tenants, boasting around 400 staff.

The latest additions - Amity Brew Co Beckett and Beckett Interiors, Farsley Fire and Smoke, and Anahata Yoga - are all aiming to make their mark as the national lockdown eases.

Russ Clarke, co-founder of Amity Brew Co, said: "We have finally been able to open our doors and serve pints to customers. The reviews of the location have been glowing. Sunny

Bank Mills is a beautiful setting with practical and convenient amenities that you don't find easily around Leeds. The free parking and street food catering is adding so much value to our

business, we have everything we could have wanted for our customers.

"Opening properly for the first time ever has felt very surreal, our brewery and taproom has been ready since December but to sit out on the terrace with the views of Sunny Bank Mills

in the background and watch our customers drink it all in has been perfect. Despite the delays, we couldn't have asked for a better opening,” said Russ.

Deborah Beckett, of Beckett & Beckett Interiors, said: “The reason we came to Sunny Bank Mills is that we loved the fact the mill cares about keeping the history alive. Our interior design business involves using beautiful fabrics to create our interiors and fits in beautifully with the Festoon Rooms where we are based.

She added: “We love the mix of great businesses sharing the amazing surroundings and beautiful landscaping, and feel proud to be working in such a great environment.”

Farsley Fire & Smoke is an American hot-smoked meat street food concept, using prime Yorkshire meat. It is run by husband-and-wife team Ashley Turner and Sarah Chandler.

“We are hugely indebted to the landlords of Sunny Banks Mills for supporting us, first by allowing our vans to sell food to all the businesses here and then for providing a commercial

kitchen and a wonderful Smoke Shack for us. This has enabled our business to grow swiftly, despite the challenges of the pandemic," said Ashley.

“We live in Farsley and we feel we are tremendously lucky to have such a vibrant and friendly community here, with Sunny Bank Mills as its beating heart.”

Finally Anahata Yoga, which is run by Sarah McLaughlin, is moving into the historic Old Combing building at Sunny Bank.

Sarah explained she chose the award-winning Sunny Bank Mills because she "wanted to open a studio with a real community feel."

“Filled with local businesses, art studios and designers, it just felt like the right place to be," she said. "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.”

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. They broaden our appeal and provide wonderful new facilities for everyone who

works at the mill and who lives in Farsley.”

He explained: “There is now genuine optimism at Sunny Bank Mills as we emerge from lockdown. I see the spirit of the local people and businesses reflected in these new lettings.

There is a determination to seize opportunities and to emerge stronger and undefeated.

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