Special school moves into historic mill complex to boost employment opportunities for students

Rob Lakewood of West SILC said: “The Post 16 department of our School has been based in Farsley at Springfield Commercial Centre for the past six years, which has been perfect for developing our pupils’ confidence, road safety and employability skills.

“The Mending Rooms represent the next step in our journey. This space is our employability setting, developing key skills in specific job sectors that give our young people genuine opportunities to work towards employment.”

He added: “Being based in the heart of Farsley enables our pupils to take full advantage of all the amazing opportunities the village can offer our young people.

"Having previously worked on an exciting project with the Sunny Bank Mills Archive, we have a great insight into what Sunny Bank can offer us.

“Facilities such as the Mill Kitchen, Grumpy's, Amity Brew and Scrap Creative have enabled us to show our students how we can give them aspirational opportunities.

“I’d like to thank John and William Gaunt, the co-owners and managing directors of Sunny Bank Mills, who have been so supportive of our school and our students.

"Having first spoken to John over three years ago, he was kind enough to put us in touch with the mills’ Archive and run a careers session about Sunny Bank Mills for our young people.”

John Gaunt said: “We are absolutely delighted to welcome West SILC to Sunny Bank.

"They have played a pivotal role in our Archive project called Weaving the Web, which has created a special Online Collection. This currently features 50 unique objects from our Archive that can now be viewed from every angle, thanks to 360 degree photography.

“ I am full of admiration for the innovative and ground breaking approach Rob and the West SILC team have towards preparing their young people for life beyond their school.

"I am happy that Sunny Bank Mills and its community can contribute to that journey. In turn, they will add a new dimension to our community and the ongoing regeneration of the mills.”

During the past 10 years, Sunny Bank Mills, one of the most famous family-owned mills in Yorkshire, has been transformed into a modern office and mixed-use retail and leisure complex for the 21st century, welcoming 100 new companies and creating 400 new jobs.

Having made the decision to sell the family business, the Gaunts, who are co-managing directors of the mill, embarked upon creating a welcoming space in which arts and culture could flourish as well as opening up commercial opportunities for local businesses.

Over the last decade, the gallery at Sunny Bank Mills has hosted 75 exhibitions supporting over a thousand artists and makers, introduced creative events such as an annual Ones to Watch exhibition showcasing the work of recent art school graduates who have either studied in or are from Yorkshire, a regular print fair, vintage fairs and a hugely successful Christmas market.

While the majority of Sunny Banks Mills is occupied, four spaces will be available soon: 1,768 sq ft at the Spinning Mill, 977 sq ft in the 1912 Mill, and 556 sq ft in The Old Engine Rooms.

The letting agent is Dove Haigh Phillips.