A new restaurant is due to open in the former Lu’s Place cafe at Meltham Mills in Meltham, Huddersfield.

The Millhouse Bistro is a joint venture between Ben Craven, local hospitality operator, and Harry Fowler, Yorkshire entrepreneur, with the pair working closely together to reimagine the space as a “modern all-day British bistro rooted in community warmth and quality dining.”

Ben recently took over Huddersfield town centre Italian restaurant Primo in October last year and says he has been keen to build on this success with a new venture.

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The Millhouse Bistro will offer breakfast, lunch and dinner seven days a week, introducing an evening dining experience that has not previously been available at the site.

By day, the bistro will feel “light, welcoming and relaxed” and ideal for breakfast meetings and leisurely lunches. As evening approaches, the lighting will soften and the space will become candlelit, creating a cosy British bistro atmosphere for dinner.

During the warmer months, guests will also be able to enjoy the large outdoor terrace, offering a relaxed setting for daytime dining, drinks and long summer evenings.

The menu will focus on British classics, and with an emphasis on value, quality local produce and genuine hospitality.

Sundays will play a key role in the offering, with traditional Sunday roasts served from 12pm until 4.30pm.

The Millhouse Bistro will operate seven days a week, positioning it as a true all-day venue for locals and visitors alike.

Opening hours will be Monday to Saturday, 9am – 10pm and Sunday, 9am – 6pm.

Speaking on the launch, Ben said: “This site has always been a special one in Huddersfield and we wanted to create something that felt welcoming, familiar and elevated at the same time. It’s an incredibly tough time for hospitality, which makes this project even more meaningful.

“Opening something new right now is a statement of belief in Huddersfield and its independent hospitality scene.

“After the response to Primo, it felt like the right moment to build on that momentum.

“At The Millhouse Bistro, we’ll be introducing an elevated service style alongside a menu of British classics that Yorkshire folk love so much. We want The Millhouse Bistro to feel like a place the local community can truly call their own, whether that’s for breakfast and brunch, Sunday lunch or a candlelit dinner.

“Harry and I also want to recognise Dan and the team behind Lu’s Place and Towndoor. They built something much loved here and have been an absolute pleasure to work with throughout this process. There’s a lot of respect for what they created and we’re proud to be continuing the story of the site in our own way.”

Harry added: “I’m genuinely excited to be working on The Millhouse Bistro and to be part of shaping something special for Huddersfield. From the very start, this project has been about creating a welcoming space that feels accessible and rooted in the local community.

“Creating around 20 new jobs locally is something we’re really proud of and we’re looking forward to building a brilliant team and a place people enjoy returning to time and time again.”

There are plans for a launch date on Saturday April 4.

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