Preserving History

The property industry has been successful over the past few decades in converting some of Yorkshire’s historic industrial buildings, usually woollen mills, from modern use. The latest of these is Sunny Bank Mills in the centre of Farsley, a family owned mill which is being extensively renovated for small and medium sized businesses. In a short period it has four new tenants, Powerhouse Digital Photography; travel agents, Uncover the World; Yorkshire Physiotherapy Network and Richard Moran Photography who have taken 1,022 sq.metres (11,000 sq.ft.). John Gaunt of Edwin Woodhouse, the owners, said: “I think the pedigree of business reflects the quality of the refurbishment and even in the teeth of the recession, Sunny Bank Mills and Farsley can succeed in its mission of being a creative space for business.” The mill stopped textile production in 2008 having opened in 1912. In Halifax, St James is developing the historic Shaw Lodge into 10 small office suites. The company’s Oliver Quarmby commented: ”In the longer term we are looking to fulfil our dream of an urban village on this unique site, but we believe it is in everyone’s interest to proceed carefully as the property market begins to recover from the deep recession.” There are already 15 tenants on the 10 acre site, many of them in the creative industries and education. As with Sunny Bank mill, the last loom fell silent in 2008. Another historic building, the ARTTS International training centre, Bubwith, which has planning permission for conversion to residential and offices is on the market for £1 million.


The Yorkshire Commercial Property Register

The Yorkshire Commercial Property Register is a leading UK business property publication from Martin Austen Publishing. The aim of the publication is to offer a simple and effective means of finding Office Space in Yorkshire, Serviced Offices in Yorkshire and industrial commercial property in Yorkshire. You can also find the latest commercial property news for the Yorkshire region.