Yorkshire mill to churn out new jobs with £2m regeneration

Work is now well underway on a £2m project mill regeneration project near Leeds.

The owners of the Sunny Bank Mills complex in Farnsley, John and William Gaunt, have invested £7m into the regeneration of the complex over the past 10 years, and expect the mill complex to create new jobs on its completion.

The current project, which is called Weaver’s Yard, will remodel the central area of the estate, with the aim of restoring the prominence of the mill buildings.

The mill was previously used for Yorkshire Television’s shows Emmerdale and Heartbeat.

William Gaunt, co-owner, commented: “We have already created 355 jobs at Sunny Bank Mills, with more than 80 companies on site.

“This new phase, which will be developed over the next few years, will ultimately create many more and regenerate these lovely old buildings.

“The remodelling of the heart of Sunny Banks Mills will ensure that the mill woodland is protected, while mill ponds will provide fantastic amenity space for everyone who lives and works here.”

“The iconic 1912 Mill, where Heartbeat and Emmerdale were filmed, now has a number of quality occupiers, but 16,000 sq ft of very flexible Grade A office space is available to lease now.

“I think the pedigree of business which has relocated here already reflects the quality of the refurbishments being undertaken and that even in a challenging commercial property market, Sunny Bank Mills and Farsley is succeeding succeed in its mission of being the top creative space for business in the region.”

John, co-owner, added: “This is the biggest and most ambitious exciting development yet at Sunny Bank Mills.

“It is allowing us to restore and develop some of the most important buildings at Sunny Banks Mills, such as the Old Woollen Mill, the oldest building on site, dating back to 1829, which will become a significant cultural hub.”