Sheffield's iconic music venue, The Leadmill, has been ordered to vacate its premises following a protracted legal battle with its landlord, Electric Group. The dispute began in March 2022 when Electric Group, which acquired the building in 2017, served the current operators with an eviction notice, aiming to take over the venue's operations.
After nearly three years of legal proceedings, a recent court ruling favored Electric Group, granting them a possession order. As a result, The Leadmill's management has been given three months and 21 days from the judgment date (February 19, 2025) to vacate the premises.
In response to the ruling, The Leadmill's team expressed their disappointment but affirmed their commitment to exploring all possible legal avenues to secure the venue's future. They emphasized that there is no immediate timeline for the next steps and assured patrons that scheduled events would proceed as planned unless stated otherwise.
Electric Group has indicated plans to refurbish the venue, with intentions to continue its legacy as a cornerstone of Sheffield's live music scene. However, these plans have been met with skepticism by The Leadmill's current operators, who have garnered significant public support in their campaign to remain in the historic venue.