The Sunday Times' Best Places to Live 2022 list named Farsley as the 'new Chapel Allerton' and their judges said it was 'on the up'.
The judges went on to say how the southern part of Leeds is going through a "regeneration", with a boost from a planned new train station near the White Rose Shopping Centre close by.
LeedsLive visited Farsley to see what residents had to say about the area and how they felt about being dubbed the 'new Chapel-A'. Those living in the mill town had nothing but praise for the "community spirit" of the area and those working there wish they could afford to move there.
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A group of punters in The Bay Horse, Town Street, spoke out about how "friendly" and lively the town is. John Hookins said: “It’s busy, lots of places to eat and to drink and have a good night out.”
Roland Riley said: “I’ve never ever met a more sociable, friendly people an it’s got to the stage where we’re a team now. It’s not just this lot, it’s everybody.”
Alf Teacake said: “The best thing about Farsley is that when you’ve been abroad, then coming back down the hill towards Farlsey. I think I’m coming back home and I love it that much. From the top of the Ring Road and you’ve been on a two week holiday.”
'Villagey vibe'
Bea Rohle, who lives in Bradford but works in Farlsey, said: “If I could afford it, I would live here. It’s got a real kind of villagey vibe. There’s lot of shops. I mean there’s a green grocers, then all shops and two really good event spaces. I’m a city girl, this is all kind of small scale but there’s a lot happening.”
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'Pretty well connected'
Phil Lister, 29, has lived in the area for eight years and works as a chef in Mill Kitchen. He said: “I don’t really know what sets it apart as there are lots of other nice areas around here. I’d never heard much about Farsley before we moved but we just found a house that was affordable.
“I think Farsley is pretty well connected. There’s lots of business here, you don’t really need to go anywhere else. There’s lots of nice restaurants, there’s everything you could need. The train station is just further up in Pudsey. Plus, it’s kind of equidistant between Leeds and Bradford. It’s a good location.”
Dave Henfrey, the pub landlord of The Bay Horse, said: “Farsley has got the community spirit that a lot of places are lacking. Everybody knows eachother. There’s not a day that you can’t walk up and down the street without saying ‘hello’ to somebody or striking up conversation.”
He went on to say that traders work with each other, “people were saying that the Mill Kitchen coming to Farsley would kill the pubs off but no, it actually brings customers in. We’re making money off the back of them as well who are coming into the area. They think the area has such a nice vibe, they’ll come out for more drinks.”
