“The fight to save The Leadmill is here” as iconic Sheffield venue heads to court

nme.com:

issued an eviction notice which sparked an outcry across the music industry and from gig-goers.The premises are owned by Electric Group — a joint venture between Dominic Madden and Jacob Lewis – who also own London’s Electric Brixton, Bristol’s SWX and Newcastle’s NX.

They bought the site’s freehold in 2017 and previously said they had no intention of closing the venue when they ended the current occupiers’ lease.However, the management soon hit back, arguing that they were being “exterminated by the landlord” before launching a fresh appeal to fans, asking for support after revealing that landlords were reportedly moving forward with eviction plans.Madden then responded again, 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.”In May, The Leadmill won its first court battle against its landlord, after changing its legal team and putting forward various submissions to explain why they believe the landlord’s approach is unlawful.The venue’s legal team was granted an adjournment at the time, to allow them to prepare fresh arguments and respond to evidence submitted by Electric Group.Now, the next stage of the legal proceedings is approaching, set to take place on December 16, 18 and 20 at Leeds Property and Business Court.Writing on Instagram yesterday (December 9), representatives from the venue said that “the fight to save The Leadmill is here”, adding: “For almost 45 years, The Leadmill has been a cornerstone of Sheffield’s music, arts, and cultural scene, providing a platform for emerging artists and unforgettable nights for our community.“Now, we’re fighting to stop our landlord’s attempt to evict us under.