TV setting turns into a Powerhouse

The 170-year-old building in Farsley, near Leeds had been used as a setting for ITV dramas such as Heartbeat, Emmerdale and A Touch of Frost, starring David Jason, above. It fell silent when filming ended last year. The building is now home to Powerhouse Photography, which has a client list including supermarket chain Asda, Taylors of Harrogate and television chef Ainsley Harriott. Powerhouse specialises in food, lifestyle, jewellery and room set photography.

Formed in 2000 by Leeds businessmen Tony Lendill, Neil Adams, and Richard White, the company employs five full-time photographers and has recently recruited a fourth director, Mark Backhouse.

Managing director Mr Adams said the company moved to Sunnybank Mills after outrgrowing its former studio in Rodley, near Leeds.

Mr Adams said: "There has been intense pressure on all companies due to the recession, but we made a decision very early on not to compromise on quality." Powerhouse plans to expand its fledgling high definition video service, which was set up in response to demands from clients for videos for websites.

Mr Adams added: "It is a definite growth area for us over the next few years and one we hope will enable us to firmly cement our reputation as the leading digital photographic agency in the North."