Operator signs at Sunny Bank Mills
Events company Trouble At Mill has a permanent home, agreeing a 10-year lease for the 500-capacity Old Woollen venue within Farsley’s arts and business complex.
Dick Bonham, a director of Trouble At Mill, said: “This is tremendous news for us. Having worked with Sunny Bank Mills to develop the offer at the Old Woollen, we’re delighted to make this a permanent move.
“The next year is our biggest and best yet, with double the amount of shows and some familiar household names visiting Farsley.”
Bonham said that the flexibility of the Old Woollen’s space has allowed the firm to bring in show including John Lydon’s Public Image Limited, Shaun Ryder, Mark Radcliffe, Gary Delaney, The Great British Sewing Bee’s Esme Young and legendary TV historian Lucy Worsley.” As well as the main room, Trouble At Mill is leasing the Old Engine Room.
The complex is owned by William and John Gaunt, who over the last 11 years have led the restoration of the old mill buildings, to the extent they now support 500 jobs.
Recent arrivals to the workspace on offer have included PQS Tech Solutions and David Yeadon, while Michelle Hands, founder of female content and clothing company She Who Dares Wins, has signed for a studio within the refurbished 10 Old Combing building.
William Gaunt said: “Bringing the Old Woollen back to life was a true labour of love. The building had been derelict for 50 years and had fallen into an advanced state of dilapidation. Now it is a thriving cultural and community hub and maintains the mills’ proud connection with the arts, as both Yorkshire Television’s Emmerdale and Heartbeat were filmed here, and we have a thriving art gallery on site, too.”

The complex has been developed building by building. Credit: via Robert Beaumont