(Image: UGC)
A new family café and play centre has opened its doors, bringing fresh energy to a once-empty building in the heart of Saltaire.
Joseph and Naomi Buthee have launched Bows and Beams, located on Victoria Road.
The community interest company (CIC) is designed as a welcoming space where parents can relax while children play safely.
The project was made possible through funding from the Shipley Towns Fund, which aims to stimulate local business growth, diversify the high street, and support innovative start-ups across the region.
'Joyful little 'living room' for the village'
Naomi, co-founder of Bows and Beams CIC, said: "As a local family with deep roots in Saltaire, we wanted this space to be used as a joyful little 'living room' for the village.
"Our own children – six generations now here in Saltaire – love playing in the space, having been on this journey with us through all the extensive renovations.
"We've received such a warm welcome from the community and it's so lovely to already have familiar regular faces popping in for food, drinks and play and making proper use of the space.
"We’ve also been pleasantly surprised by how many people have travelled into Saltaire just to come and experience Bows and Beams.
"The support from the Shipley Towns Fund has been instrumental in helping us transform the property and bring this community asset back to life.
"We're so grateful."
Why open in Saltaire?
Joseph and Naomi were inspired by a six-generation family connection to Saltaire.
Joseph’s great-great-grandparents lived in Saltaire and worked in the mill, with subsequent generations of his family also living in the village.
Bows and Beams transforms a previously unused commercial space into a vibrant community hub, offering a café, children’s play area, and meeting space for the wider community.
The project has also created two new jobs.
'Driving local high street variety'
Gill Thornton, chair of the Shipley Towns Fund, said: "The Shipley Towns Fund was proud to support this transformative project.
"Bows and Beams CIC is a fantastic example of how targeted capital assistance can turn commercial spaces into thriving, community-centric businesses.
"By blending an accessible play centre with a social meeting hub, Naomi and her team are driving local high street variety while providing an essential, high-quality service for local families."
'Invaluable footfall to Saltaire's historic high street'
Councillor Andrew Judson, deputy leader of Bradford Council, said: "This is precisely the type of enterprise and investment we want to see flourishing in our district.
"Transforming empty properties into vibrant social assets not only creates immediate, local jobs but also brings invaluable footfall to Saltaire's historic high street."
The Shipley Towns Fund continues to support start-ups and business growth as part of wider efforts to diversify high streets and strengthen community networks.