The Leadmill Sheffield: Freehold owner Electric Group says venue 'not closing' and announces plans for refurb

Electric Group, which owns the freehold to the building on Leadmill Road in the city centre, insists the venue is not closing and has announced plans for a ‘substantial investment’.

It responded this morning after the venue’s management said yesterday evening that it had been issued with an eviction order, forcing it to leave the premises in one year’s time, and an an appeal for messages of support was answered by big names including Reverend and the Makers, and the Manic Street Preachers.

Who owns The Leadmill in Sheffield?

In a statement issued today, Electric Group, which owns and runs other music venues in London and Bristol and a soon-to-open venue in Newcastle, said: “The Leadmill is not closing.

"Independent music venues operator the Electric Group bought the Leadmill freehold in 2017, which made it the ‘landlord’ for Phil Mills, Leadmill’s leaseholder.

The Leadmill Sheffield: Looking back to beginnings of city's under-threat legendary music venue

“Phil Mills’ tenancy runs until March 2023 after which Electric Group will oversee a substantial investment in the Leadmill – the sort of acclaimed facilities and sonic overhaul the company has already delivered at its venues in South London and Bristol.”

Mike Weller, head of music at Electric Group, said: “There was never any question of us closing the Leadmill, despite all the social media chat.

“The refurb will make the room better equipped to accommodate the modern wants of live music and club nights, for audiences and performers.

What are The Leadmill building freeholder’s plans for the venue?

“We want to ensure the Leadmill’s future is as exciting as its history.”

The Electric Group owns and runs 1,500 capacity South London venue Electric Brixton, the 1,100 capacity Bristol SWX and NX Newcastle, which is due to open in October 2022.

Electric Group said more detailed information about its plans for The Leadmill would follow.

Land Registry documents show the freehold for The Leadmill Building, which comprises 6 and 7 Leadmill Road and 16 Suffolk Road belongs to MVL Properties (2017) of Electric Brixton, and the value stated on January 17, 2018 was £600,000.

The lease for the basement, ground floor, second floor and third floor is stated as running for 20 years from March 25, 2003.

Electric Group’s website describes it as a joint venture between co-founders Dominic Madden, CEO, and Jake Lewis, of the Lewis Family, which owns River Island amongst many other business interests.

It states that Dominic has 20 years’ experience of management in the entertainment sector, and Jake is a musician and producer.