By Robert Beaumont
West Yorkshire’s iconic textile mills must be treasured or they will be lost for ever, warns William Gaunt, joint managing director of Sunny Banks Mills in Farsley.
Mr Gaunt explained: “Mills are such a huge part of the West Yorkshire landscape but sometimes we take these important heritage buildings for granted. They form the everyday backdrop to our lives acting as a permanent reminder of our past.
“Our old textile mills stand as a testament to where West Yorkshire came from and their social and cultural impact helped shape Britain and beyond.
“However, the perceived permanence of our grand mills can be deceiving, their continued existence very fragile. Some beautiful examples were saved soon after their closure; Salts Mill and Dean Clough stand square and proud ready for another 200 years of use.
“But there are many that are in an obviously parlous state, abandoned and derelict, at the mercy of the harsh Northern weather and acts of vandalism and arson. Research commissioned by Historic England in 2021 revealed that 237 Yorkshire textile mills lay empty or underused.
“Dalton Mills is a classic case. This delicate range of Victorian buildings, in the heart of the proud town of Keighley, is near collapse after repeated arson attacks whilst standing empty. Now, however, through the tenacity, bravery and vision of Tim Rogers of Future Transformation CIC, this Mills has an excellent chance of survival.”
William Gaunt pointed out that Bradford’s selection as UK City of Culture 2025 demonstrated perfectly how the mills remained at the centre of our cultural life and heritage.
Throughout the year, mills around the district have been used as venues and, in some cases, literally canvases for art works and performances.
He explained: “International artists through to local community groups have been exciting, provoking and challenging us with new work placed in old weaving sheds, spinning rooms and even projected onto mill chimneys.
“These imposing buildings that employed our forebears now invite us in to share our stories and memories. Artists have collaborated with people across the city to discuss and think about who we are and what we want to change to make the world a better place.”
John Lambe, Historic Places Advisor at Historic England, leading on the organisation’s ‘Mills of the North’ campaign, is equally passionate: “Reusing heritage buildings for creative purposes delivers recognised public benefits – job creation, cultural vitality and community regeneration.
“These outcomes can unlock grants, planning incentives and partnerships among public, private and non-profit stakeholders. Sunny Bank Mills at Farsley is a fine example of this; with Dalton Mills having equally as much potential.”
William Gaunt concluded: “We need to show the same vision as our forebears to ensure that these important heritage mill buildings can be enjoyed by generations to come.”
- Sunny Bank Mills is a commercial and cultural destination in the heart of Farsley. Founded in 1829, the mills are being regenerated by the sixth generation of the family owners, creating a wonderful blend of work, leisure and culture. Sunny Bank Mills offer beautifully restored creative business spaces for both small and large organisations.
Sponsored content
Regarding the mills in Farsley which have been converted and thriving with business, how sad that the majority of the old mills and schools in Pudsey have been demolished. I would have thought that some of them could have been converted also like Farsley has done. My Mother worked as a weaver at Cliff Mills at the top of Valley Road, Pudsey and my Grandma worked at Union Mills at the bottom of Valley Road.