Sister act launches Roma-style pizzeria
Entrepreneurial sisters, Cassie and Alex Rogerson, have announced plans to launch a pizzeria at a restored mill in West Yorkshire.
They will launch Grumpy’s at Sunny Bank Mills in Farsley near Leeds at the end of this month.
Grumpy’s, named in honor of the Rogerson sisters’ father, will consist of a bar and pizzeria in the former family-owned mills where TV’s Emmerdale and Heartbeat were filmed.
The new restaurant will be located in the Old Combing building., serving craft beer, Roma style wood-fired pizzas and cocktails.
A major regeneration project has been undertaken at Sunny Bank in recent years, turning it into a business centre. It is now home to 70 companies with a combined 340 staff.
Alex Rogerson explained: “We both gained our experience in the hospitality and tourism industries; Cassie in operations and myself in marketing and design. As working mums it was important for us to create a social space together as a family; to have the opportunity to do so in our home village feels really special.”
“Whilst nearby Horsforth and Pudsey have a wealth of restaurants and bars, until now Farsley hasn’t had the retail space to expand its offering. We believe that the restoration of the Mills is putting Farsley back on the map and we are thrilled to be part of this thriving community. The kindness and flexibility of the landlords, the Gaunts, has made us feel at ease and proud to be part of such a success story.”
William Gaunt, joint managing director of Edwin Woodhouse Ltd, the owners of Sunny Bank Mills, commented: “We are delighted to welcome such an exciting venture as Grumpy’s to Sunny Bank Mills. The addition of a top-class pizzeria with craft ale will be a real asset to the community here and to Farsley as a whole.”
“There was strong interest in the retail unit at 2 The Old Combing, where Grumpy’s will be, but we felt that Alex and Cassie’s dedication, passion and love of their local community was a winning combination. We wish them the very best of luck,” he added.
Meanwhile Mike Dove, partner with Leeds property consultants Dove Haigh Phillips, commented: “This is one of the most significant mill regeneration projects currently being undertaken in Yorkshire. Steeped in history and with massive potential, Sunny Bank Mills is fast becoming one of the prime business locations in the West Leeds area.”
