Mill complex set to be ‘heartbeat’ of the area

The 1912 Mill, part of the Sunny Bank Mills complex of five mills in the centre of Farsley in Leeds, has been transformed into a 21st century business centre.

The mills, which are being renovated for small and medium-sized businesses, have also attracted three new tenants.

Essex-based Prestige Graphics have taken 4,500 sq ft on the second floor of the 1912 Mill, Stroud Consulting have taken a 300 sq ft suite in Sandsgate; and Northern Light Studio Photography have taken a 2,000 sq ft pre-let in the Festoon Rooms, which will be ready for occupation in December.

There are two 8,700 sq ft offices on two floors available to rent in the 1912 Mill, with nearly 9,000 sq ft of office space at Sandsgate over three floors and more than 2,000 sq ft of studio and business space in the Festoon Rooms. Rents are in the region of £14 per sq ft.

John Gaunt, co-director of Edwin Woodhouse, the owners of Sunny Bank Mills, said: “We are delighted to welcome such a diverse and high quality range of businesses to the community at Sunny Bank Mills.

“I think the pedigree of business reflects the quality of the refurbishments and that even in the teeth of recession, Sunny Bank Mills and Farsley can succeed in its mission of being a creative space for business.

“We are very proud to have achieved these three significant lettings and looking forward to building on this success.” Other tenants include Richard Moran Photography, Powerhouse Digital Photography, travel agency Uncover The World, the Yorkshire Physiotherapy Network and Jackaboos Play Gym, which has just signed a new lease.

Mike Dove, of Leeds-based property consultants Dove Haigh Phillips, added: “The refurbishment of the 1912 Mill is a complete triumph, a wonderful balance of cutting edge modern office space in an environment rich in history and heritage.”

He added: “The crowning glory of the 1912 Mill is the top floor, which has been lovingly restored and where the fabulous new Northern Light window, the first new northern light roof in northern England, stands out.”

Having taken the decision to stop textile production in 2008, joint directors and cousins William and John Gaunt are now restoring the mills to their former commercial glory to make the mills “the heartbeat of Farsley”.

Their ancestor John Gaunt was one of the clothiers who opened the original mill in 1829.