FREE e-GUIDE: Sunny Bank Mills spins again - explore this Leeds retail, food and culture hotspot in Farsley
Sunny Bank Mills isn’t just a destination. It’s a powerful symbol of Yorkshire reinvention.
Shop, eat, drink, create, explore art and enjoy live shows - its all here.
FREE E-GUIDE: Discover Sunny Bank Mills in our latest free page-turning e-guide, packed with stories, highlights, and insider inspiration. Read below, or open it in a new browser window by clicking here.
This historic 19th-century Leeds textile mill, in the heart of Farsley, has been transformed over the past 15-years.
It is now a home of modern retail, arts and crafts, fitness, food and drink emporiums.
That spirit runs through every brick, beam and business across the site, founded in 1829.
This vibrant hub - just a 15 minute drive for Leeds city centre - once employed local mill workers. Today, Sunny Bank Mills supports hundreds of jobs as it spins again, this time weaving a bold new future.
Discover amazing artisan studios, independent shops, galleries and eateries, get creative and watch live entertainment - all while soaking in the rich history .
Our latest supplement - now a free page turning e-guide - explores what you will find inside as it redefines what community, creativity and independent business looks like in 21st century Yorkshire.
Here are some of the featured businesses - check out the e-guide for these and more.
A paradise for sewing enthusiasts and textile lovers, Mill Creations continues the rich making heritage of Sunny Bank Mills with a modern creative twist. Run by a mother-and-daughter team, Nicola Lee and Isabel, the business offers everything from premium fabrics and sewing machines to workshops and expert advice. It’s a tactile, inspiring space where beginners and experienced makers alike can discover new skills, unleash creativity and connect with Yorkshire’s textile roots.
Visit: millcreations.co.uk
Luxury meets mindfulness at CAHM Collective - the award-winning fragrance studio and gift shop handcrafting home fragrance and aromatherapy products. With beautifully curated scents, wellbeing products and artisan gifts, CAHM has grown from a local creative brand into a nationally recognised lifestyle name. Visitors can step inside the studio to watch the magic happen, browse carefully selected independent brands and experience a calm, design-led space rooted in craftsmanship and wellbeing.
Visit: thecahmcollective.com
Part pottery studio, part coffee spot, part creative playground, Pots & Paws delivers colourful, family-friendly fun inside The Spinning Mill. From pottery painting and keepsakes to workshops, parties and great coffee, it’s become a warm and welcoming destination for all ages — and even better, it’s proudly dog friendly too. Creativity and community sit at the centre of everything they do.
Visit: www.potsandpaws.co.uk
Award-winning, ambitious and wildly creative, The Farsley Cake Company has added another layer of excitement to Sunny Bank Mills with its spectacular new store. Known for extraordinary celebration cakes, illusion cakes and wedding designs, owner Steven Newbatt-Macdonald has built a reputation for pushing cake artistry to the next level. From handcrafted bakes to specialist decorating supplies and bespoke commissions, this is where imagination meets sugarcraft excellence.
Visit: www.thefarsleycakeco.com
The Old Woollen has transformed a repurposed mill space into one of Leeds’ standout live entertainment venues. Music, comedy, theatre, cabaret, spoken word and immersive events all collide in this atmospheric 500-capacity cultural hotspot. Since opening in 2021, it has hosted everyone from legendary musicians and comedians to fringe theatre, drag nights and literary festivals - bringing serious creative energy to the heart of Farsley.
Visit: oldwoollen.co.uk
More than just a café, The Mill Kitchen & Bakery has become the social heartbeat of Sunny Bank Mills. Built around honest food, artisan baking and a deep sense of community, it’s where locals gather for exceptional coffee, fresh pastries, seasonal brunches and relaxed conversation. By day it’s a welcoming neighbourhood haven; by night it transforms into an intimate venue for private celebrations and unforgettable gatherings.
Visit: millkitchen.com
Silly Loaf is exactly what independent retail should be - joyful, bold, unapologetically colourful and bursting with personality. Hidden beneath the gallery space, this vibrant gift shop creates handmade jewellery, quirky art prints, nostalgic illustrations and wonderfully weird gifts designed to make people smile.
Owner Sophie has built a fiercely independent creative universe where humour, Yorkshire charm and handcrafted artistry collide in spectacular fashion.
Visit sillyloaf.com
Learn, create, thrive” perfectly captures the spirit of The Jewellery Makers - Yorkshire’s largest specialist jewellery school and an award-winning creative community. From beginner workshops to advanced goldsmithing courses, the studio gives people the opportunity to develop traditional jewellery-making skills in a welcoming, inspiring environment. Led by BBC “All That Glitters” goldsmith Emma White, the school has become a powerhouse for creativity, craftsmanship and community connection.
Visit: thejewellerymakers.co.uk
At Metz, cheese becomes storytelling. This specialist artisan cheesemonger celebrates seasonality, terroir and traditional cheesemaking with passion and expertise. From Yorkshire Wensleydales to Alpine-style classics, Metz champions small producers, native breeds and handcrafted quality - helping customers discover how flavour changes with the land, the weather and the seasons. It’s a deliciously immersive experience for serious cheese lovers.
Not your average hi-fi shop, The Spinning Room is an audiophile paradise where music lovers can immerse themselves in exceptional sound, vinyl culture and beautifully curated equipment. Combining premium HiFi technology with local art, craftsmanship and an ultra-relaxed atmosphere, the showroom has quickly become one of Yorkshire’s coolest music destinations. Whether you’re rediscovering vinyl or building the ultimate listening setup, this is where serious sound meets independent spirit.
Visit: thespinningroomhifi.co.uk
Smoke, fire, flavour and theatre — Farsley Fire & Smoke brings authentic Yorkshire smokehouse culture to Sunny Bank Mills. From delicately smoked salmon to Texas-style brisket, their handcrafted smoked produce has built a loyal following far beyond Leeds. Their iconic BBQ train has become a showstopping feature at weddings, festivals and corporate events, delivering unforgettable food experiences packed with bold flavour and personality.
Visit: www.farsleyfiresmoke.com
Duo Pilates brings wellness, movement and rehabilitation together inside a beautifully designed luxury studio space. Founded by Chartered Physiotherapist Louise Samuels, the physio-led mat and reformer Pilates studio has rapidly built a devoted following thanks to its welcoming atmosphere and tailored approach to health and fitness. Inclusive, supportive and expertly guided, Duo Pilates is helping people across West Leeds move better, feel stronger and reconnect with wellbeing.
Visit: duopilates.co.uk
Our supplement is not just a collection of businesses but showcases this amazing destination where heritage fuels innovation, creativity drives community, and independent Yorkshire businesses are thriving under one iconic roof.
Sunny Bank Mills isn’t simply preserving history - it’s writing the next chapter.
READ MORE:
Check out our previous free Sunny Bank Mills e-guide - read it below, or open it in a new browser window by clicking here.
For the best computer screen reader experience click on the three dots, at the bottom right of the e-Guide, and then on full screen.
.Whether you’re wanting to shop, dine, explore, or enjoy a live show, there’s always something new to discover in this vibrant corner of Farsley.
For more about Sunny Bank Mills visit the official website at www.sunnybankmills.co.uk