Sheffield’s longest-running venue The Leadmill is calling on fans to object to the landlord licence application following the team behind the venue being served an eviction notice. The current managers of the venue are asking the general public to object to the premise license application before the 24th May to help save the venue.
On the 17th May, the venue posted on its website and social media accounts the plea for fans to object to the landlord’s licence application writing, “As many of you are aware, our landlords have issued The Leadmill with an eviction notice in order to operate from this location themselves. If they are successful, this would result in The Leadmill ceasing to exist after 43 years.”
Help to save The Leadmill. For more information please visit https://t.co/2YhtkPx7M7 pic.twitter.com/d0wkeKUMbZ
— The Leadmill (@Leadmill) May 17, 2023
Members of the public can object to the application if they are aware of any relevant reasons as to why it shouldn’t be granted which includes the prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, the prevention of public nuisance, and the protection of children from harm. The Leadmill continued, “You may be assisted in your understanding by Googling relevant reviews and press reports about the operation of the landlord’s current nightclubs. These are; Electric Brixton, SWX Bristol, and NX Newcastle.”
In 2017, Electric Group bought the site’s freehold and announced their plans to evict the current management in order to run the venue themselves under the name Electric Sheffield last year.
Artists and gig-goers alike have been quick to support the preservation of the current managers of The Leadmill on social media. Last year when the landlords announced their plans to evict the organisers, Yorkshire band Kaiser Chiefs took to Twitter writing, “We played The Leadmill in our early days and not only do we have very fond memories, it really helped us, too. It would be a huge loss not just for Sheffield and Yorkshire, but the whole UK music scene.”
We played @Leadmill in our early days and not only do we have very fond memories, it really helped us, too. It would be a huge loss not just for Sheffield and Yorkshire, but the whole UK music scene. #WeCantLoseLeadmill https://t.co/Y3Sgc8aQBq — Kaiser Chiefs (@KaiserChiefs) March 31, 2022
Charlatans frontman Tim Burgess also joined the #WeCantLoseTheLeadmill campaign on social media writing, “Such a brilliant venue. Let’s do all we can to stop The @Leadmill from closing.”
Such a brilliant venue. Let’s do all we can to stop The @Leadmill from closing https://t.co/0VeUfeBdMz
— Tim Burgess (@Tim_Burgess) March 31, 2022
Northern Irish rock band Ash joined the campaign too, adding, “This venue has been part of our lives for almost 30 years. Always been a great place to play. Show them your support; let’s get @Leadmill trending.”
This venue has been part of our lives for almost 30 years. Always been a great place to play. Show them your support; let’s get @Leadmill trending. https://t.co/v8U2HcDmcl
— ASH (@ashofficial) March 31, 2022
Sheffield’s own Arctic Monkeys have previously shown their support for the venue by launching a Crowdfunder campaign to help with funding in 2020. Alex Turner chipped in by giving away his Fender Stratocaster used in the band’s early days.
Last year, Music Venue Trust launched a new initiative to protect, secure, and improve UK music venues.
The former flour mill has a long history of hosting gigs having once been the Esquire in the 1960s where the Small Faces and Jimi Hendrix played. The live music venue and nightclub first opened its doors as The Leadmill in 1980 and has since hosted artists including Pulp, Coldplay, The Stone Roses, Arctic Monkeys, Kings of Leon, The Killers, and Oasis. To celebrate its 40th anniversary back in 2021, the venue released a limited edition red vinyl compilation album featuring tracks from the likes of The Orielles, Enter Shikari, and Bedroom High Club.
