'An absolute privilege' says sculptor after handcrafting missing stones from famous Leadmill artwork
A sculptor says it has been “an absolute privilege” to restore a stone frieze above the door of the former Leadmill nightclub.
The date is set for the relaunch of the iconic venue after months of renovations, with its first clubnight under new name ‘Electric Sheffield’ booked for March 13.
It comes after a bitter legal dispute between the new owners, Electric Group, and the former tenants, who after losing a court appeal made good on a promise to strip the former Leadmill venue back to the “derelict flour mill” it was when they took over.
The left the venue in August 2025.
The famous stone mural above the venue’s entrance showing two musicians playing the cello and a horn was partly removed when the tenants moved out.
The uppermost stones of the art piece were removed before a dangerous structures expert from Sheffield City Council ordered work crews to stop. However, the stones were never returned.
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Now, the piece has been reimagined and restored by Sheffield sculptor Andrew Vickers, who crafted a new set of stones to complete the missing mural.
The stones were added back to the display on Monday (February 23).
Andrew, a veteran artist who goes by the trade name Stoneface, has a studio in Storrs Wood told The Star: “It’s been an absolute privilege. I’m really proud to have been commissioned to restore this piece.
“I must have gone for a few nights at The Leadmill back in the day - but, to be honest, that’s all a blur!”
Andrew said he reached out to Electric Group to offer his services, who commissioned him after meeting in 2025.
However, once he got to work in his studio, he said he found it “a massive challenge.”
Andrew said: “The job was to make the top half match up with the bottom half still there - but I love a challenge and it really got the juices flowing. I’ve really enjoyed it.
“I was allowed to reimagine and reinterpret it. The original had one of the musicians playing what looks like a bugle or a trumpet, and in the new one he is playing a saxophone.
“There are some finishing touches to do now it is in place but I’m very proud to have been involved.”
The building previously operated as The Leadmill, one of Sheffield’s best-known live music venues. Electric Studios will now operate from the site, with organisers saying it will host a mix of live music, club nights and creative projects.
More details and ticket information are available via Electric Studios: http://electricstudios.co.uk/