An award-winning distillery and cocktail bar is set to open shortly at Sunny Bank Mills, the iconic Yorkshire mill complex at Farsley between Leeds and Bradford.
John Robert's Botanic Request is moving into the mill's historic Twisting building, which is being comprehensively renovated following a £1m investment. The cocktail bar, called the Test Bar, will open its doors to the public on November 5. 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, creating 400 new jobs.
Ben Peel, co-founder of Botanic Request with his partner Emelie Nilsson, said: "Once we had decided to relocate from nearby Stanningley, we viewed numerous sites but when we stepped into the Twisting, it instantly felt just right for our brand and concept for a distillery and cocktail bar. As a good bar is all about atmosphere, environment and hosting, it was hard not to ignore the beautiful panoramic views looking over the mill’s courtyard and grounds.
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"We also loved that it was tucked away at the back of the mill complex. It had a feeling that it could become Farsley's best kept secret, somewhere you could meander away from the day-to-day and step into somewhere unique for an exceptional gin or a well-made cocktail.
"Our brand is all about celebrating the exceptionalism in people, as it is this that makes them unique, and when we thought long and hard about the history of the space, and the craftsmanship of the people who have worked in there over the years, it made even more sense that this was to be the new home for John Robert's Botanic Request.
"After meeting some of the fabulous residents and amazing businesses within Sunny Bank Mills, we became very excited at the idea of becoming a part of this amazing line-up and we are very much looking forward to becoming a part of the Farsley neighbourhood and community. It's impossible to ignore how beautiful this mill is."
Botanic Request is 17 months old and has picked up multiple awards since it was founded. The new premises will enable expanded production to supply increasing demand, including a new export deal to the US. Ben said: "We are very much looking forward to opening this new space where we can offer bespoke and unique gin and cocktail masterclasses in the distillery while testing bedding new spirits, cocktails and liquid innovations on the cocktail bar for the public."
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