Quicks Archery, one of the oldest archery retailers in the world, has moved into the Sunny Bank Mills complex at Farsley, near Leeds.
Quicks, which is owned and run by archery specialist Pete Bowers, has taken a five-year lease on a state-of-the-art studio and shop in the Mending Rooms, an historic Georgian mill which has undergone an extensive modernisation programme.
During the past 11 years Sunny Bank Mills, one of the most famous family-owned mills in Yorkshire, has been transformed into a modern office and mixed-use complex for the 21st century, creating over 450 sustainable new jobs.
Pete, who lives in Halifax, explained that he has been looking for a base in Leeds after a rival archery retailer closed in the city.
He commented: “We already have shops in the south of England and Lancashire, but I wanted a Leeds location to spread our reach. When I saw the Mending Rooms studio at Sunny Bank Mills, I was blown away. It had exactly the right ambience and character for our shop, with its traditional rustic feel of exposed brickwork, cast iron features and a rich history.
“Meanwhile the community at Sunny Bank Mills is amazing. Everything is on our doorstep, with the ancillary facilities, such as parking, disabled access and cafes, a tremendous plus. The whole atmosphere of the Mills complex is family friendly, attracting exactly the kind of clients synonymous with our trade.
“I’d like to add that landlords William and John Gaunt have been incredibly helpful. They are responsive, sympathetic and very patient with our requests.”
Quicks, together with its sister company Podium, is sponsoring two archers representing Team GB at the Paris Olympics, Briony Pitman and Tom Hall.
John Gaunt, joint managing director of Edwin Woodhouse & Co Ltd, the owners of Sunny Bank Mills, said: “We are delighted to welcome Pete and his shop manager Deborah Waterhouse to Sunny Bank Mills. Quicks, with its superb global reputation, really adds to the diverse mix of quality retail and leisure occupiers we have at Sunny Bank Mills. We wish Pete and Deborah the best of luck here and know, given their passion, they will thrive.
“In addition to our offices and arts studios, we now have cafes, restaurants, a brewery, a gin-maker, a jeweller, a yoga studio, an art gallery and the Old Woollen events space. It is this diverse offer, which we work so hard to achieve, that makes Sunny Bank Mills not just a wonderful place to work but also a great place to visit and spend time at as well.”
