Offices with a tale to tell are restored to former glories

Sandsgate, which is part of Sunny Bank Mills in Farsley, near Leeds, where Heartbeat and Emmerdale were once filmed, has been transformed into new offices.

The 9,000 sq ft building was once the administrative engine room of one of the most famous and historic family-owned mills in Yorkshire.

It has been modernised by Horsforth-based architects Kilmartin, Plowman and Partners to provide space for small and medium-sized businesses.

John Gaunt, joint managing director of Edwin Woodhouse, the owners of Sunny Bank Mills, said: “We believe Sandsgate has been given the finish it deserves. The new entrance, which fronts Town Street, sweeps up to the period offices with a stunning staircase and a real Edwardian feel and a touch of class.

“When Sandsgate was originally built in 1921, my great-grandfather Billy Gaunt did not like the Town Street entrance which the architect had designed and had it boarded up, preferring an entrance at the side. Now the old entrance has been restored to beyond its former glory, giving it an elegant and high-profile frontage in the heart of Farsley.”

The three-storey building includes offices of between 300 sq ft to 2,000 sq ft plus car parking. Rents are about £14 per sq ft.

Stroud Consulting has taken a 300 sq ft office on the first floor. Mr Gaunt said: “Even though the refurbishment has just been completed, there has been a high level of interest in the building. We are proud of what has been achieved.”

Joint agents for the building are Dove Haigh Phillips and Jones Lang LaSalle.