Application for Demolition at Legendary Venue
An application has been submitted for planning permission to demolish parts of the legendary venue in Sheffield, but the leadership’s request has been rejected.
- READ MORE: If Sheffield’s wired mill – a place that helped to break the Arctic Monkeys – will leave, we all lose something
The institution faced threats, as its owners, Electric Group, issued an eviction notice in March 2022, provoking protests within the music industry and from concertgoers.
Electric Group, a partnership between Dominic Madden and Jacob Lewis, who also owns London Electric Brixton, Bristol SWX, and NX Newcastle’s NX, purchased freehold of the site in 2017. Soon after, they announced their intention not to renew the current tenant’s lease.
In response, the venue’s leadership claimed they felt “destroyed by the lessor”.
The current tenant, Phil Mills, previously declared intentions to “immerse” the premises with his current fixtures and fittings, including the dance floor and stage, should eviction be implemented (through BBC News).
However, on February 17, the City Council rejected the plans for the demolition of the toilet unit and surrounding work on Suffolk Road, aimed at “returning the building to a pre-letting condition.”
Planning Rejection and Community Response
An employee from the planning department recommended rejecting the proposed demolition, labeling it as “meaningless” with no public benefit.
According to a planning employee, the report states: “In the event of the lease termination, they intend to return the building complex to the condition it was in before the lease commenced. Therefore, the proposal would lead to a loss of facilities for a music venue/nightclub without significant public advantage. In fact, the demolition appears pointless.”
MVL Properties, owned by the Electric Group, filed a counter application if the demolition were to proceed, which was also rejected.
Leadmill’s leadership reached out for public support, rallying fans after being informed that landlords were pushing forward with eviction plans in 2023.
Dominic from Electric Group reaffirmed their commitment to managing the venue and its events, emphasizing a focus on concerts, club nights, and comedy shows.
Madden confirmed that if he succeeds in the eviction, the space would cease to be known as “Leadmill,” and all current staff would be replaced. He also noted that seminar users would be evicted, ending the leases of those still operating from Leadmill.
Preserving the Heart of Sheffield’s Music Scene
Leadmill has begun the “Battle for the Soul of Sheffield” to garner support as it fights for its existence.
Since opening its doors in 1980, the venue has hosted early shows from iconic bands like the Arctic Monkeys, Kings of Leon, and The Killers, maintaining its status as a cherished location for live music and club events.
After news of this dispute surfaced in 2022, former Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn visited Leadmill, urging others to support the venue.
He echoed the sentiments of countless Sheffield residents, recognizing it as “the heart of the city” and highlighting its importance to local artists like the Arctic Monkeys and Jarvis Cocker.
Richard Hawley, a vocal supporter of Leadmill, played several benefit concerts during 2022 to raise awareness and funds. Many of his shows featured collaborations with Sheffield artists like Jarvis Cocker and Rebecca Taylor (known as Self Esteem).
Recently, Leadmill announced the possibility of relocating if eviction occurs.
https://www.nme.com/news/music/sheffield-leadmill-lose-planning-application-to-gut-parts-of-the-venue-if-evicted-3838744?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=sheffield-leadmill-lose-planning-application-to-gut-parts-of-the-venue-if-evicted
