Family-run crafts firm expands with new venture at historic Leeds mill

A Leeds-based entrepreneur has launched a new venture as part of an expansion strategy.

Nicola Lee, who founded and runs the School of Sew at Sunny Bank Mills in Farsley, has launched retail business Mill Creations.

The retail business will also operate as a dedicated dealer selling Brother sewing machines with an interactive demo space, running alongside the School of Sew which was launched in 2015.

Joining the new business is Nicola’s daughter Isabel as an apprentice who will learn all the tricks of the sewing and crafting trade from her mum.

Both Mill Creations and School of Sew occupy over 1,500 sq ft premises in the Spinning Mill at Sunny Bank Mills, once the home of Yorkshire Television’s Emmerdale and Heartbeat.

Nicola commented: “School of Sew has enjoyed six years of success, capitalising on the increasingly popular craft of sewing and the growth in home crafting.

“Introducing a retail side of the business in the form of Mill Creations, a brand new and much needed haberdashery for the area, creates a much more compelling service offering and helps meet the growing demand for quality materials and fabrics from customers who have not only learned a new skill but taken it to the next level, with many selling their own creations.

“Lockdown witnessed a huge growth in sewing, embroidery and crafting as people took up new skills and hobbies and this shows no signs of abating. Welcoming my daughter into the business as an apprentice means that I can proudly share my skills and knowledge with her and the business can continue for another generation.”