Business Press Releases

By William Gaunt, joint Managing Director, Sunny Bank Mills. An edited version of this article appeared in the Yorkshire Post, 5 Nov 2025.

Mills are such a huge part of the West Yorkshire landscape but sometimes we take these important heritage buildings for granted. They form the everyday backdrop to our lives acting as a permanent reminder of our past. Our old textile mills stand as a testament to where West Yorkshire came from. Their social and cultural impact helped shape Britain and beyond. The technological developments in the 19th century textile industry drove the industrial revolution that swept the Western world. The wealth the mills created financed the civic grandeur of West Yorkshire’s towns and cities. In Leeds, the subsequent social turmoil provoked the rollout of universal education, led by Richard Oastler, the “Factory King”, whilst the Bradford mill workers drove the foundation of the Labour movement, pushing for a more equitable society here and worldwide. The hunger for labour attracted migrant workers from Ireland, eastern Europe and South Asia. They travelled across the then Empire seeking a better life for themselves and their families. It was not an easy road to travel but that wonderful diversity is now an intrinsic part of Yorkshire’s rich heritage.

But how relevant are our mills in the present day and what about their future? Bradford’s selection as UK City of Culture 2025 demonstrates perfectly how the mills remain at the centre of our cultural life and heritage. Throughout the year, mills around the district have been used as venues and, in some cases, literally canvases for art works and performances. International artists through to local community groups have been exciting, provoking and challenging us with new work placed in old weaving sheds, spinning rooms and even projected onto mill chimneys. These imposing buildings that employed our forebears now invite us in to share our stories and memories. Artists have collaborated with people across the city to discuss and think about who we are and what we want to change to make the world a better place.

The recent sound and light show – STRIKE! – projected onto the 200-foot-high chimney of Manningham Mills that dominates the Bradford city skyline, brought to life the 1890 strike by female workers. Not seen as “breadwinners”, strikes by women have been downplayed in the traditional historical narrative. The newly created accompanying protest banners demand us to consider a woman’s role in the home today. “We don’t just make samosas & pakoras” being a particular banner highlight. “Perfectly exemplifying the spirit of women in Bradford today,” said Shanaz Gulzar, Creative Director, Bradford UK City of Culture 2025.

However the perceived permanence of our grand mills can be deceiving, their continued existence very fragile. Some beautiful examples were saved soon after their closure; Salts Mill and Dean Clough stand square and proud ready for another 200 years of use. But there are many that are in an obviously parlous state, abandoned and derelict, at the mercy of the harsh Northern weather and acts of vandalism and arson. Research commissioned by Historic England in 2021 revealed that 237 Yorkshire textile mills lay empty or underused. Dalton Mills is a classic case. This delicate range of Victorian buildings, in the heart of the proud town of Keighley, is near collapse after repeated arson attacks whilst standing empty. Now, however, through the tenacity, bravery and vision of Tim Rogers of Future Transformation CIC, this Mills has an excellent chance of survival.

John Lambe, Historic Places Advisor at Historic England, leading on the organisation’s ‘Mills of the North’ campaign, is equally passionate, “Reusing heritage buildings for creative purposes delivers recognised public benefits – job creation, cultural vitality and community regeneration. These outcomes can unlock grants, planning incentives and partnerships among public, private and non-profit stakeholders. Sunny Bank Mills at Farsley is a fine example of this; with Dalton Mills having equally as much potential”.

We need to show the same vision as our forebears to ensure that these important heritage mill buildings can be enjoyed by generations to come.

The award-winning Sunny Bank Mills in Farsley, near Leeds, has welcomed an exciting new range of independent retailers.

Sunny Bank Mills, which is one of the oldest family-owned mills in Yorkshire, now sustains nearly 500 jobs and is home to over 100 businesses, half of which are public facing.

The new businesses include The Spinning Room Hi-Fi, Cargo Wines and Hoop Knit, making the Mills one of the most exciting and innovative retail destinations in West Yorkshire.

Paul Knipe, the owner of The Spinning Room Hi-Fi, which is based in the Festoon Rooms, explained that he had enjoyed many events and festivals at the Mills over the years and had always been inspired by the focus on creativity and culture.

He explained: “The Festoon Rooms is such a perfect location to be the home of The Spinning Room Hi-Fi that I believe the room chose us. Of all the amazing spaces within the extensive Mills there is literally nowhere which could be more suited to our business. Our location shares a corridor with the thriving Record Plant record shop and Sunny Bank Mills’ very own art gallery and shop, which is the centre of the Mills.

We are also very close to the Old Woollen live venue space which forms the beating heart of the music area of the Mills. The collaboration between Record Plant and The Spinning Room Hi-Fi is the key to ensuring that our vision of helping more people enjoy music at home is fulfilled. Collaborative events are already in the pipeline to further establish Sunny Bank Mills as the ‘go to’ destination for all things music in Leeds and the wider area.”

He continued: “It is so important to stress that William and John Gaunt, the landlords and custodians of Sunny Bank Mills, have been great supporters of The Spinning Room Hi-Fi and its development to date. Just like us they get that music is an art form and so the nature of our business and its ultimate success will in turn help the Mills’ continue its journey to being an art and culture hub for West Yorkshire.”

Meanwhile independent wine merchants Cargo Wines has moved into the Twisting at Sunny Bank Mills, with director Richard Kilian describing the venue as a “beautiful space”.

He said: “The size of the unit and the availability of outside space are perfect for Cargo, allowing both a retail area as well as comfortably seating up to 50 guests inside, around 40 on the terrace and now over 60 on Weavers’ Lawn. We’re ready for every type of weather!

“Although we were aware of the artistic community that has built up in Farsley over the years, it was only when the Old Woollen music venue opened that we could see the potential for a hospitality business. As the Mills has progressed with the likes of CAHM luxury fragrances and Record Plant, the opportunity to expand the wine retail business as a hybrid with the bar hospitality aspect of Cargo made perfect sense.

The Gaunts have been incredibly supportive of a new business. The willingness of the owners to give us the space, as well as their expertise and understanding during the fitting and opening, has allowed Cargo to quickly develop an enthusiastic customer base.”

Hoop Knit is a third independent retailer that has chosen Sunny Bank Mills as its new home.

Director William Lingwood explained: “Sunny Bank Mills is a vibrant, creative hub that draws craft and design enthusiasts from a wide area, making it an ideal location for a premium yarn shop.

“My wife Vanessa opened Hoop Haberdashery in 2011, as a small high street store in Tenterden, Kent, full of gorgeous supplies and natural fibres for knitters and crocheters.
Now, 15 years later, we have relocated to Yorkshire, where we have opened our new online store and a large, welcoming yarn shop at Red Mill Lane.

Here, we are showcasing an extensive range of natural fibres and yarns from both local producers and worldwide brands, beautiful yarns that will inspire knitters and crocheters of all levels. Thanks to the Gaunts, our move has been painless.”

Other new retail and leisure occupiers at Sunny Bank Mills include: Candy Spa For Kids, the Welly Club Forest School, Right Nice Stuff, Duo Pilates, a physio-led reformer and mat Pilates studio with Louise Samuels, Metz Cheesemonger, Swimsport, Silly Loaf and Record Plant (expansion).

John Gaunt, joint managing director of Edwin Woodhouse and Co Ltd, the family company which owns Sunny Bank Mills, said: “It’s so exciting to welcome these new retail businesses to Sunny Bank Mills. It was always our vision to create a place that people both love to visit and to work in. The new retail businesses fit that vision perfectly.”

“50 per cent of the businesses at the Mills are now public facing, ranging from destination retail, cafes, a pizzeria, bars, our art gallery and shop, workshops, a music venue, and lots more. 10 years ago, it was only 15 per cent so it’s very satisfying to see that vision become reality.”

William Gaunt added: “These are very exciting new lettings for us – and we are absolutely delighted at the range of businesses which are now joining us at Sunny Bank Mills.

They broaden our appeal and provide wonderful new retail facilities for everyone who works here and for those who visit us from further afield.”

Sunny Bank Mills has announced a major expansion of artists’ studio spaces at its Mills site in Farsley, Leeds as a direct response to the closure of artists’ studio spaces in the city.

Sunny Banks Mills’ Arts Director Anna Turzynski said: “During my first year of working at Sunny Bank Mills, I’ve watched at least six iconic art spaces in Leeds close. After spending three years of my life championing the culture of our city, it was devastating to feel the sector being forced out of Leeds. Fortunately, after speaking to my peers and listening to artists, I realised that Sunny Bank Mills was in a unique position to help. We have acres of amazing industrial space here at the Mills and a strong existing creative community, so it made complete sense to create more studios and workspaces for creative people.

She continued: “Having visited studio spaces across the country like Rouge Studios in Manchester, Cockpit in London and Assembly House just down the road in Armley I am keen to explore how we can support artists with more than just space. Whether that be opportunities to stock work in our on-site Gallery Shop, business development advice, funding support or a sense of community through our Open Studios programme – it feels like there are lots of opportunities. We were inundated with applications for studio space and the cohort who have joined us are amazing. It’s only encouraged us to find more space for artists, so keep an eye on our website and social media if you are looking for a place to home your creative practice.”

William Gaunt, joint Managing Director of Sunny Bank Mills said: “Ten years ago we had just 9 artists’ studio spaces, now I’m proud to say we have 48 studio spaces which are all filled, and we hope to grow that number in the years to come. Sunny Bank Mills has been and is a place of making, so it is a great privilege to have so many talented artists and makers working and developing their varied practices here. The latest release of studios in Red Lane Mill was formerly where the pattern looms operated, producing new designs to be sold across the world – so a truly creative space.”

For more information on Sunny Bank Mills visit: https://www.sunnybankmills.co.uk/

For a full list of artist studio holders visit: https://www.sunnybankmills.co.uk/arts/art-spaces/studios/studio-holders/

The next Sunny Bank Mills Open Studios event is Saturday 13^th & Sunday 14^th September 2025.

 

An inspirational French cheesemonger has opened at the award-winning Sunny Bank Mills in Farsley, near Leeds.

Metz Cheesemonger is owned by Emmanuelle Metz who has more than a decade of experience of selling cheese in both Yorkshire and France.

Emmanuelle’s shop is beautifully situated at the front of the mill site in Sandsgate, an historic Edwardian mill building.

Originally from Paris, and now living in Kirkstall, Emmanuelle is thrilled with her new premises and described her move to Sunny Bank Mills as “a dream come true.”

She explained: “My new base is absolutely perfect. I couldn’t be happier here. The shop is visible from Town Street, Farsley’s main street, and I’m also part of a fantastic mill community. So I’ve got the best of both worlds.

“I have always loved selling and making cheese and, when I came over to Leeds from Paris, I worked in a cheese retailers, and it was a great opportunity to learn all about British cheeses and the cheesemaking community in the UK. It was a delight to take part in the Academy of Cheese Affineur of the Year competition with a beautiful Horsforth Brewery’s stout-washed rind Brie and win the People’s Choice Award. This creation was the start of many others.

“Meanwhile I won the prestigious Best Display Champion category at the Great Yorkshire Show, together with the Gold Awards for Cheeseboard and Grazing Board and a Silver Award for Celebration Cake which really gave me so much pleasure and confidence. What I love most though is to surprise people and my best award is seeing a huge smile on their faces.

Now I have my very own shop! I want to share my passion and creativity with cheese lovers around Leeds. I very much see it as a melding of French and British culture both of which I am passionate about along with cheese, of course!”

Emmanuelle is keen to stress the difference between mass produced cheese and artisan cheese made by talented cheesemakers.

“The love and care that goes into making cheese by hand, rather than by machine, is reflected in the quality and taste. You cannot beat it. It’s all about sustainability, care, traditions, and everyone deserves to have some really good cheese at any time.

“I am already settling into Sunny Bank Mills and have arranged special cheese nights in conjunction with Amity Brew Co which is my near neighbour. I will also be having wine pairing nights in the coming year. That’s the joy of Sunny Bank Mills, there’s so much potential collaboration between occupiers. There’s a real spirit of togetherness here.

So, what single cheese would Emmanuelle recommend?

“That’s a difficult question, as I love them all and my tastes change. But, if pressed right now, I would say Stonebeck Wensleydale, a raw milk farmhouse cheese. It is magnificent.”

Emmanuelle continued: “I am also tremendously grateful to William and John Gaunt of Sunny Banks Mills for providing such a special home for me. It is ideal. They have been a pleasure to work with.”

William Gaunt, joint managing director of Sunny Bank Mills with his cousin John, commented: “We are absolutely delighted to welcome Emmanuelle to Sandsgate. She has already proven she is a talented cheesemonger with the awards she has won and I can personally vouch for the superb quality of her cheeses.”

John Gaunt added: “Metz is a tremendous addition to the diverse range of businesses we have at Sunny Bank Mills. From a vinyl record shop to a jeweller, from a brewery to a gin specialist, from a pizza restaurant to an interior decorator, we have a wonderful array of tenants who are all driven by the pursuit of excellence within our creative environment. It is especially pleasing when they work together, as Emmanuelle is doing with Amity Brew Co.”

During the past 12 years, Sunny Bank Mills, one of the most famous family-owned mills in Yorkshire, has transformed into one of the most exciting and respected cultural and community hubs in the Yorkshire region. It has 100 diverse independent companies and creatives on site bringing 500 sustainable new jobs to West Leeds. It is also home to an acclaimed contemporary Art Gallery and a textile Museum & Archive.

• Metz is open on Tuesday to Saturday from 9.00am-6.00pm and on Sunday from 10.00am-4.00pm.

CAHM, a flourishing manufacturer and supplier of fragrance and wellbeing products, has opened a new shop at the award-winning Sunny Bank Mills in Farsley, near Leeds.

Founded in 2020 in the middle of lockdown, CAHM is owned and run by Whitby-born Amy Hogarth.

CAHM’s products are stocked in over 100 gift shops and garden centres across the UK from the Orkney Islands to Cornwall, with a new contract having just been signed to supply Booths, the upmarket northern supermarket.

Amy, who now lives in nearby Horsforth, specialises in diffusers, candles, hand and body lotion, bath salts and aromatherapy products.

She explained: “This is a tremendously important step for us. Having started making candles during lockdown in my kitchen, the business grew swiftly. After moving to an industrial estate in Shipley, we were then given this fantastic opportunity to open a shop and manufacturing centre in the Mending Rooms at the fabulous Sunny Bank Mills. This is the perfect base.

“CAHM incorporates my initials AH and reinforces our mission to spread a positive mental-health message through beautiful design-led gifts. Our sustainable products are hand-made by a small team of dedicated and passionate people, ensuring the quality and design for which we have become known is retained.”

Amy’s varied career, primarily in corporate travel and hospitality, included a spell at the Savoy Hotel in London, where her customer-facing role saw her look after rock supergroups such as the Kings of Leon and the Rolling Stones.

She recalled: “I got stuck in the lift for half an hour with the Kings of Leon, which was very embarrassing as I am a huge fan, and I had to tell the Rolling Stones that they couldn’t wear their trainers at the Savoy. They were charming and didn’t make a fuss.”

Amy studied Human Geography at the University of Leeds and when she was looking for help to launch and develop CAHM, she turned to the Help to Grow Management course at the University. She is among the latest of 250 small and medium-sized enterprises that have been helped on their journey by the Government-funded course at the University over the past two-and-a-half years.

She continued: “I am also tremendously grateful to William and John Gaunt, the owners of Sunny Banks Mills for providing such a special home for us. It is ideal. Sunny Bank Mills is a vibrant community and an amazing example of how to repurpose and revitalise an old textile mill.

“There are many like-minded businesses to CAHM at the Mills and we are already working together with another occupier, Amity Brew Co, to promote our products. There is a real synergy to what we are both doing.”

During the past 12 years, Sunny Bank Mills, one of the most famous family-owned mills in Yorkshire, has been transformed into a modern office and mixed-use complex for the 21st century, with more than 100 diverse companies on site creating 500 sustainable new jobs.

William Gaunt, co-owner and managing director of Sunny Bank Mills with his cousin John, commented: “We are absolutely delighted to welcome Amy to the Mending Rooms. Her business is already thriving and we trust it will continue to flourish here. Her dedication and passion are a joy and we are proud to be part of her exciting journey.”

John Gaunt added: “CAHM is a tremendous addition to the diverse range of businesses we have at Sunny Bank Mills. From a vinyl record shop to a jeweller, from a brewery to a gin specialist, from a cheesemonger to an interior designer, we have a wonderful array of tenants who are all driven by the pursuit of excellence within our creative environment.”

Amy is supported in her business by her partner Phil Dawkes, the former BBC sports journalist.

• For further information on CAHM, please visit thecahmcollective.com or visit Amy’s shop at 3 The Mending Rooms, Sunny Bank Mills, 83-85 Town Street, Farsley, near Leeds LS28 5UJ.

Quicks Archery, one of the oldest and most successful archery retailers in the world, has moved into the award-winning Sunny Bank Mills complex at Farsley, near Leeds.

Quicks, which is owned and run by archery specialist Pete Bowers, has taken a five-year lease on a state-of-the-art studio and shop in the Mending Rooms, an historic Georgian mill which has undergone an extensive modernisation programme.

During the past 11 years Sunny Bank Mills, one of the most famous family-owned mills in Yorkshire, has been transformed into a modern office and mixed-use complex for the 21st century, creating over 450 sustainable new jobs.

Pete, who lives in Halifax, explained that he has been looking for a base in Leeds after a rival archery retailer closed in the city.

He commented: “We already have shops in the south of England and Lancashire, but I wanted a Leeds location to spread our reach. When I saw the Mending Rooms studio at Sunny Bank Mills, I was blown away. It had exactly the right ambience and character for our shop, with its traditional rustic feel of exposed brickwork, cast iron features and a rich history.

“Meanwhile the community at Sunny Bank Mills is amazing. Everything is on our doorstep, with the ancillary facilities, such as parking, disabled access and cafes, a tremendous plus. The whole atmosphere of the Mills complex is family friendly, attracting exactly the kind of clients synonymous with our trade.

“I’d like to add that landlords William and John Gaunt have been incredibly helpful. They are responsive, sympathetic and very patient with our requests.”

Quicks, which was founded in 1949, is one of the best-known dedicated archery companies in the UK, run entirely by archers. The company sells archery equipment, parts, kits, books, accessories, gifts and everything else archery customers want to use. It caters for all levels of archer, from beginner to advanced archers and Olympians, and for all types of archery, such as field or target, as well as archery kits for children learning at school age. Quicks also supplies a lot of archery kits for clubs, hotels and leisure activities.

Quicks, together with its sister company Podium, is sponsoring two archers representing Team GB at the Paris Olympics, Briony Pitman and Tom Hall.

John Gaunt, joint managing director of Edwin Woodhouse & Co Ltd, the owners of Sunny Bank Mills, explained: “We are delighted to welcome Pete and his shop manager Deborah Waterhouse to Sunny Bank Mills. Quicks, with its superb global reputation, really adds to the diverse mix of quality retail and leisure occupiers we have at Sunny Bank Mills. We wish Pete and Deborah the best of luck here and know, given their passion, they will thrive.

“In addition to our offices and arts studios, we now have cafes, restaurants, a brewery, a gin-maker, a jeweller, a yoga studio, an art gallery and the Old Woollen events space. It is this diverse offer, which we work so hard to achieve, that makes Sunny Bank Mills not just a wonderful place to work but also a great place to visit and spend time at as well.”

There is still both retail and office space available now at Sunny Bank Mills, including the Old Engine Room, 556 sq ft; 3 Spinning Mill, 388 sq ft; 12 Mending Rooms, 660 sq ft; and 2 Sandsgate, 1,012 sq ft. Early in 2025, 4 new small offices will be released in the Spinning Mill with sizes ranging from 275 sq ft to 240 sq ft.

There is also 7,550 sq ft – 15,100 sq ft available at the iconic 1912 Mill, with a three-month refurbishment programme.

Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves, whose West Leeds and Pudsey constituency includes Sunny Bank Mills, commented: “The range of small businesses here is fantastic. I have been especially impressed by the way in which the owners of Sunny Bank Mills adapt their buildings to enable their tenants to grow.”

“Small business owners working with like-minded people will find synergies and inspiration here, which is beautiful. This is an old mill which has brought people together and been the catalyst for more small businesses opening on the rest of Farsley Town Street. It is inspirational what has been achieved so far.”

Sunny Bank Mills, the historic Yorkshire mill complex between Leeds and Bradford, has won a major honour in the inaugural Yorkshire Business Insider Placemaking Awards.

The 10-acre Victorian mill, one of the most famous family-owned mills in Yorkshire, won the prestigious Best Use of Heritage in Placemaking category.

The award was presented at a glittering ceremony at the Life Centre in Bradford, which was sponsored by Bradford UK City of Culture 2025 and Social Communications.

During the past 12 years Sunny Bank Mills in Farsley has been transformed into a modern office and mixed-use complex for the 21st century, creating 400 sustainable new jobs with 113 business units and studios. The mills welcome 750,000 visitors a year.

The judges commented: “This was a thoroughly deserved award for a very impressive entry. Apart from nurturing and sustaining a wide variety of businesses, boosting the local economy, Sunny Bank Mills preserves and promotes West Yorkshire’s rich industrial heritage via the Sunny Bank Mills Museum and Archive.

The development is superb and an absolute asset for the area and we believe that the mills’ achievement is what placemaking – and these inaugural awards – are all about.

Placemaking is about the impact on people and communities. And Sunny Bank Mills’ impact has been massive.”

John Gaunt, joint MD with his cousin William, commented: “This is a huge honour for us and we are tremendously proud to have won. The award is not just an endorsement of what we are trying to achieve here, but also a reflection on the talent and dedication of our hard-working and tight-knit team. This award is primarily for them.”

William Gaunt added: “This award is all about celebrating community, which is at the core of all we do. In their heyday, our mills were the heartbeat of Farsley and we are so glad that they have a similarly prominent role today. That is what we’d like our legacy to be and that is why this award means so much to us.”

The other shortlisted candidates for the Best Use of Placemaking award were: Dean Clough, Halifax; the Hyde Park Picture House, Leeds; and the Ripon Spa Hotel.

Ian Leech, the editor of Yorkshire Business Insider, added: “I am delighted that we have brought this event to Bradford. That came from the encouragement of event sponsor Bradford City of Culture 2025, a year of events which could be the catalyst for lasting change and economic prosperity there.”