Iconic Sheffield venue could move to new location if evicted

Sheffield's iconic Leadmill music venue could relocate if it is forced to vacate its home of 44 years, the company's director has said.

Electric Group, the owners of the much-loved 900-capacity building, served an eviction notice on their tenants The Leadmill Ltd in March 2022 and plan to run the business themselves.

The Leadmill's legal team is in the process of fighting the decision, which it claims is in breach of several laws.

Giving evidence at an eviction hearing at the Business and Property Court in Leeds, the company's sole director, Phil Mills, said opening a new venue in the city instead was "a possibility".

Mr Mills, who told the hearing he had been involved in running The Leadmill since it opened on Leadmill Road in 1980, said a new premises was "hypothetical" and "plan B or plan C".

"Plan A is that we succeed in this case and we carry on."

The Leadmill Ltd own the trademark for the venue's name, meaning a new venue in another building could be called The Leadmill and retain its branding.

Mr Mills said the new site would "not necessarily" be in Sheffield.

"If we found a suitable premises in Sheffield we would effectively be competing against ourselves because The Leadmill's name and legacy is indivisible in our customers' minds.

"[Electric Group boss] Mr [Dominic] Madden said in his statements it [the venue] will always be known as The Leadmill, he's quite right.

"Old Trafford will always be known as Old Trafford."