Sunny Bank Mills 'A Vision of the Future' Open Day.

William and John Gaunt along with their site Architects and site Property consultants held an open day to launch their "Vision for the Future" of Sunny Bank Mills. it was held on 27th November between 3 and 7 pm at the The Sandsgate Gallery, Sunny Bank Mill. 

* photos by Simon Cliff

The open day was held in the main room of The Sandsgate Gallery, where the general public were free to attend and have a look around. The aim of the day was to offer people the chance to see what plans and ideas for the regeneration of the Sunny Bank have been drawn up.

William and John Gaunt, their site Architects and site Property consultants circulated the room, taking time to talk to attendants and answer anybody's questions.

William and John are passionate about restoring the family business and promoting community and business in the village of Farsley.

"We are returning the buildings to their former glory for future generations to enjoy. In much the same way as we produced the highest quality cloth, so we approach the regeneration of Sunny Bank Mills, to produce buildings we can be justly proud of".

The open day was hosted in Sandsgate Gallery, which was one of the two buildings (the other being the 1912 Mill) the brothers have refurbished over the last 2 years. They're now looking to develop the site further, stripping back newer buildings to expose the more striking, historic ones. The whole site could become more accessible with access and parking within the site being considered.

There are a number of uses being considered for the future refurbished buildings; including retail, offices, residential and leisure. Speaking to William Gaunt he said that preferably they would like the Mill to offer employment first and foremost, especially to the local community. The woodland area to the north west of the mill will be largely retained and managed under a woodland management plan.

As I walked around I took the opportunity to talk to a few of the attendants. One gentleman I came across, Mr Pattison, had worked in the Mill in 1983, in the die testing house. He said,
 "The improvements have been done to a high standard. The plans have been done on a proper scale with a long term view in mind".
Mr Pattison had come down, interested to see  the changes, as an ex employee but also as an artist keen to see what would happen with the Sandsgate gallery. Another young couple I spoke to had come down to the open day from Yeadon, a neighboring town,
"I've come down on previous occasions to the art gallery and on heritage walks. The key is to get the community involved as the regeneration of the mill will be really good for it", on the regeneration, "it's wonderful, very exciting".

What was very clear from the open day and what most people mentioned when I spoke to them, is that the local community of Farsley and surrounding areas is a fundamental part of the regeneration of the Mill.

Sunny Bank Mill embrace any opportunity to open their doors for people to explore and appreciate the charm of the buildings and spaces within. They host educational, cultural and historical  events for the general public. They currently have a drama group using their archives on a Friday evening.  The 'Vision of the Future' is no different, written on one of the boards found in the display was 'consulting with the local community at an early stage of the proposals is an important part of involving you in the decision making process'.


The display will run until 11th December and everybody is welcome to go down and take a look.

Authors note.

I would just like to thank those people who took the time to talk to me and my dictaphone about the open day and their opinions on it. Due to technical problems with my dictaphone I was unable to use those interviews. Thank you for your time and your interesting thoughts.