The search is on for tenants for second phase in the new life of historic mill

Letting agents have been appointed by Leeds-based property developer Rushbond to identify occupiers for the 34,000 sq ft phase two refurbishment of Grade II listed Belle Vue Mills, Broughton Road, Skipton.

A total of 6,709 sq ft on the ground floor is earmarked for bars, restaurants or coffee shops, while 28,000 sq ft on the three upper floors could become offices.

However, Rushbond says the entire building could also be suitable for a hotel.

Internal refurbishment work is due to start later this year.

The push to find occupiers follows the 90 per cent pre-letting of the first phase where re-development is expected to be completed at the end of this month.

Medical recruitment company Medic International is the latest to lease space in phase one and will relocate from 3,500 sq ft offices at Embsay Mill into 6,000 sq ft at Belle Vue Square this summer.

The deal follows the pre-letting of 30,000 sq ft at Craven House to Craven District Council and North Yorkshire County Council, which will occupy the ground, first and second floors in the north and west wings to create a new civic centre for Skipton, and 10,000 sq ft to Medacs Healthcare in the north wing.

Mike Hartley, Rushbond development director, said: “Pre-letting 46,000 sq ft of the available 50,000 sq ft in phase one is a considerable achievement in the current tough economic climate and testament to the quality of this exciting mixed-use scheme.”