300 new jobs created at former Emmerdale mill

A family-owned mill in Yorkshire, where ITV’s Emmerdale and Heartbeat were once filmed, has now created more than 300 jobs.

Sunny Bank Mills, the 10-acre complex in Farsley, midway between Leeds and Bradford, is currently home to 60 companies.

William Gaunt, joint managing director of Edwin Woodhouse, the owners of Sunny Bank Mills, said: “We feel very proud to have broken the 300 jobs barrier, especially as we began the multi-million pound regeneration of the mill in a very challenging market for commercial property. We are well on our way to reclaiming our status as the prime employer in the area.

“We are seeing a steady flow of new tenants into Sunny Bank Mills, breathing new life into an historic complex. They are all excellent examples of successful companies being attracted to a quality business environment and their arrival underlines the versatility and flexibility of space at Sunny Bank Mills, which is attracting an exciting breadth of occupiers.”

The transformation of Sunny Bank Mills into a centre of business excellence for the 21st century was given a major boost this spring when Leeds planners gave the go-ahead to a multi-million new phase of regeneration at the mills.

This consists of 210,000 sq ft of mixed-use development and space for a further 300 new and sustainable jobs. The development will feature new build and regenerated mill buildings, with new housing, and will include a three-acre woodland with mill ponds.

In addition, earlier this week Sunny Bank Mills oversaw one of its very first tenants, the Yorkshire Physiotherapy Network, sign a new five-year lease.

Jonny Picot, managing director, explained: “We first moved to Sunny Bank Mills in 2010, when John and William Gaunt’s brave vision for their mill was in its infancy. We bought into that vision and have been absolutely delighted to see how the mill complex has blossomed into a thriving business centre and a focal point for life in Farsley.

“We believe that the classy, cutting edge environment at Sunny Bank Mills fits in perfectly with our image and ethos. It is an absolutely fantastic site and we had no hesitation in signing a brand-new lease. We are proud to be here. The Gaunts deserve their success – they are superb landlords.

“In addition, the location of Sunny Bank Mills, midway between Leeds and Bradford and not far from Yorkshire’s superb motorway network, is perfect for us. The free parking is a bonus, too, as is the competitive rent. There is nowhere else in the area that comes close.”

John Gaunt added: “The renewal of the lease of one of our very first tenants is a vindication of our belief in Sunny Bank Mills. The Yorkshire Physiotherapy Network, or Farsley Physio as they are known locally, were one of our first arrivals to Sunny Bank Mills five years ago. The fact that they were a strong business, with a clear vision of how well they could fit into Sunny Bank Mills, just at the beginning of it regeneration, gave us tremendous confidence”.

Mike Haigh of Leeds property consultancy Dove Haigh Phillips, who are marketing Sunny Bank Mills with the Leeds office of JLL, also said: “The astounding success of Sunny Bank Mills, exemplified by the story of The Yorkshire Physiotherapy Network, vindicates the capital expenditure and attention to detail the inspirational regeneration of the mill complex has created.

“This is one of the most significant mill regeneration projects currently being undertaken in Yorkshire. This is a genuinely exciting development. Steeped in history and with massive potential, Sunny Bank Mills is becoming one of the prime business locations in the West Leeds area. 300 sustainable new jobs so far emphatically underline this.

“The mix of historic buildings with first-class modern business facilities is a winning combination, whilst the location, in between Leeds and Bradford, close to Yorkshire’s superb motorway network, one mile from the nearest station and just five miles from Leeds- Bradford Airport, is perfect.”

John Gaunt concluded: “Ultimately we are the guardians of this exceptional site. Whilst it has a tremendous history, we must look to the future. This is a labour of love and we are very conscious of the need to get it right, not just for us, but also for Farsley.”

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