Sheffield Leadmill denied eviction appeal and given three months to vacate premises

Sheffield’s Leadmill has been denied its eviction appeal and given three months to vacate the premises.

• READ MORE: If Sheffield’s Leadmill – the venue that helped break Arctic Monkeys – goes, we all lose something

Though the venue have fought a lengthy battle to stay afloat, the venue posted a statement on social media saying that they “lost their legal appeal” against the eviction notice served by their landlord, the Electric Group. The group also owns London’s Electric Brixton, Bristol’s SWX and Newcastle’s NX.

Despite the support of high-profile figures including Pulp‘s Jarvis Cocker, the team will now have to vacate within the next three months, calling it “a heartbreaking moment not just for our team but for the entire Sheffield community.

“We’ve fought tirelessly to protect this independent venue which has supported countless artists, musicians and creatives for over four decades,” the statement said, adding that “today’s decision feels like a betrayal of the cultural fabric of our city.”

The Leadmill team wrote that though they are “truly devastated by this outcome”, they “also know hand on heart that we did everything possible to stop the Leadmill being evicted. We have poured our energy, time, love and determination into this fight and we’re immensely proud of our team and the community that stood by us.”

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They also warned that this decision has “ramifications for every business tenant in the country”, explaining that “the judgment in the High Court and in the Court of Appeal confirms that tenants have no rights whatsoever, that if a landlord wants to profit from evicting the tenant and copying the tenant’s business, it can do so.”

The Leadmill continued, announcing a number of farewell events to be held at the venue, adding that they’re working on relocating planned future gigs at other venues in Sheffield.

“We are devastated but not defeated,” they concluded. “This is not the end of The Leadmill’s spirit – it’s a call to action for everyone who believes in the importance of independent culture.”

NME has approached The Electric Group for comment.

Previously, the Electric Group commented on the ruling to NME, saying that they intended to keep the Leadmill as a live music venue: “We welcome the court’s consideration and careful decision to award a possession order for the Leadmill; an important ruling following difficult legal proceedings.

“The successful legal outcome paves the way for a bright future for this venue, ensuring it will receive the substantial investment it needs to thrive. It will continue to be a cornerstone of the live music scene in Sheffield, supporting artists, fans, and community projects for the next 100 years.”

Since its inception in 1980, the Leadmill has hosted a number of huge acts including Def Leppard, Oasis, Coldplay, and kindled the careers of Arctic Monkeys, Kings Of Leon and The Killers

It was first served an eviction notice in 2022, which resulted in an outcry from the likes of Arctic Monkeys, Jarvis Cocker and Bring Me The Horizon’s Oli Sykes.

The Electric Group has previously told music fans that they had no intention of closing the venue when they end the current occupiers’ lease. However, the Leadmill team soon responded, arguing that they were being “exterminated by the landlord”.

Their case was then taken to the Leeds Property and Business Court, and after initially having its judgement deferred, the court ruled in favour of the landlords last February.

Though nothing has been confirmed, the Leadmill’s team have previously said they could possibly move to a new location if evicted.

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