The Leadmill, an historic live venue in Sheffield, has emerged victorious in its first court battle against its landlord, Electric Group, after months of uncertainty regarding the venue’s future. Back in 2022, Electric Group issued an eviction notice, leading to widespread outcry from gig-goers and the music industry at large. Electric Group own London’s Electric Brixton, Bristol’s SWX and Newcastle’s NX.
Recorder Mohyuddin, King’s Counsel, heard the case in the Leeds Business & Property Court on May 20 and 21. Following the appeal, the judge decided to transfer the case to the High Court and stated that he believed three out of the four amended defence arguments put forward by The Leadmill had “a real prospect of success.” A fresh press release from The Leadmill also claims that Dominic Madden and Jacob Lewis, the owners of Electric Group, plan to rebrand the venue and replace all current staff in the event of an eviction.
Despite the landlord’s intentions, there has been a great deal of support for The Leadmill. Former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, Jarvis Cocker, Richard Hawley and Bring Me The Horizon’s Oli Sykes have all spoken in support of the venue. Sheffield’s music scene has organised to try to prevent its closure, highlighting how important it is to the city’s heritage and culture.
The Leadmill first opened its doors in 1980 and has hosted numerous now-famous bands, such as Arctic Monkeys, Kings Of Leon, and The Killers. Following the victory, the future of this beloved music venue remains uncertain
Read the full article on NME here: Read More