Sheffield Leadmill lose planning application to “gut” parts of the venue if evicted

A planning application to demolish parts of Sheffield’s legendary venue The Leadmill has been rejected.

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

The institution has been under threat since its owners the Electric Group issued an eviction notice in March 2022, which sparked an outcry across the music industry and from gig-goers.

Electric Group, a joint venture between Dominic Madden and Jacob Lewis that also owns London’s Electric Brixton, Bristol’s SWX and Newcastle’s NX, bought the site’s freehold in 2017 and shortly afterwards said they had no intention of closing the venue when they ended the current occupiers’ lease.

However, the site’s management soon hit back, arguing that they were being “exterminated by the landlord”.

The venue’s current tenant, Phil Mills, previously said he intended to “gut” the premises of its current fixtures and fittings – including the dancefloor and stage – if he was forced to vacate the building (via BBC News).

But today (February 17), the city council rejected his plans to demolish a toilet block and infill works bordering Suffolk Road which would “return the building to pre-leasing condition”.

The planning officer who recommended the proposed demolition be rejected described it as “purposeless” and without public benefit.

The planning officer’s report stated: “In the event [the applicant’s] lease is terminated, they wish to return the building complex to the condition it was in prior to the lease being taken up. In this instance the proposal will result in the loss of facilities for a music venue/nightclub with no appreciable public benefits. Essentially the demolition seems purposeless.”

MVL Properties, owned by Electric Group, had filed a counter application, in the event that the demolition did take place, which was also rejected.

The Leadmill’s management previously launched an appeal to fans, asking for support after revealing that landlords were reportedly moving forward with eviction plans in 2023.

Electric Group’s Dominic Madden responded at the time by doubling down on claims that they “intend to continue operating the space as a music venue, focussing on a diverse mix of gigs, club nights and comedy events.”

Madden confirmed in his witness statement that if he succeeded in his eviction, the space would no longer be called ‘The Leadmill’ and all current staff would be replaced. He also stated that he would be evicting the workshop users if he succeeded, putting an end to the tenancies of those still working from The Leadmill.

The Leadmill launched a ‘Battle For The Soul Of Sheffield’ campaign, in a bid to rally support as the venue fought for its survival.

Since first opening its doors in 1980, the venue has hosted early shows from Arctic Monkeys, Kings Of Leon and The Killers, and remains a popular live music and clubbing spot.

After news of it coming under threat emerged in 2022, former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn visited The Leadmill and encouraged others to “get behind it.

He also echoed the views of countless Sheffield locals, hailing it as “the heart of the city”, as well as the stance held by Arctic Monkeys, Jarvis Cocker and Bring Me The Horizon’s Oli Sykes among the Sheffield artists to have spoken out in support of the venue.

Sheffield’s Richard Hawley has also been a vocal supporter of The Leadmill for years now – having played a number of gigs there throughout 2022 to raise money and awareness. Some of his shows also saw him joined on stage by fellow Sheffield artists Jarvis Cocker and Rebecca Taylor (aka Self Esteem).

More recently, The Leadmill has since said it could potentially move to a new location if it is evicted.

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