New letting announced at refurbished mill complex

A brand-new massage therapy clinic has opened at Sunny Bank Mills in Farsley, near Leeds.

Massage Addict, which specialises in sports and holistic massage, has moved into the recently refurbished Mending Rooms at the pioneering mill complex.

This is the latest in a raft of new lettings at Sunny Bank, the family-owned mill where Yorkshire Television’s Emmerdale and Heartbeat were filmed.

Massage Addict is owned and run by Dan Cawley and Heather Davies, who were working as mobile massage therapists in La Plange in the French Alps in March this year when Covid-19 hit France.

Cawley explained: “We had to race for the border to get out before they locked down, which they did just 48 hours after we left.

“We then stayed in Wales for five months with Heather’s parents on a secluded farm, which gave us time to think about what we wanted to do and where we wanted to settle down.

“I went to Leeds Beckett University and Heather’s godchildren live in Cookridge, so Leeds made sense to us.

“We had heard about Sunny Bank Mills in Farsley and, when we visited, we loved the community vibe and the rustic industrial feel running through its veins.

“On our first visit, we met the mill’s co-owner John Gaunt and John’s warmth made us feel like we had found our new home. And we had.”

John Gaunt, co-managing director of Edwin Woodhouse, the owners of Sunny Bank Mills, explained: “We are delighted to welcome Dan and Heather to Sunny Bank Mills. Massage Therapy will really add to the diverse mix of leisure services that our fantastic tenants offer.

“We now have beauticians, hair salons, cafes and restaurants, all providing a variety of services for the many companies who are now based here.”

William Gaunt, co-managing director, added: “Despite the challenges of Covid-19, we are looking to complete a number of new deals shortly, including a new bar and café, which will really enhance and consolidate our leisure offer here.

“At the same time, we have invested £2m in the Weaver’s Yard project at Sunny Bank, which is opening up the centre of the mill, creating a magnificent performance area and 95 new car parking spaces. This project is almost complete.”

Altogether there are now 75 companies with more than 350 employees on site, with available space to let ranging from 511 sq ft to 1,555 sq ft in the Mending Rooms, the Festoon Rooms, the Old Engine Rooms and Sandsgate.

Sarah-Jayne Lishman of marketing agents Dove Haigh Phillips, added: “The owners of Sunny Bank Mills took the brave decision to invest heavily in their mill and this decision has paid dividends.

“Steeped in history and with massive potential, Sunny Bank Mills is now one of the prime business locations in the West Leeds area.”