Reader's Letter - "Venues need to change to continue to thrive" - Thoughts on The Leadmill

“Let’s not be fooled into believing that this is a Robin Hood venue being threatened by the evil Sherriff”, says Mr Noble.
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As someone who lived in Sheffield and is a current Board Member of Sheffield Theatres (which includes the Crucible and the Lyceum) and worked in the Leadmill under the inspiring leadership of Adrian Vinken in the 1980s, I have been following reports about the Leadmill’s possible closure with interest.

The current leaseholder, businessman Phil Mills, is running a fundraising campaign and a petition to ‘Save the Leadmill’, which is worrying people that the venue will close for good.

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However, my understanding is that the owner of the building has no intention of shutting the venue. They say they want to refurbish it and continue running it as a music venue, under fresh management.

The Leadmill in Sheffield.The Leadmill in Sheffield.
The Leadmill in Sheffield.

Let’s not be fooled into believing that this is a Robin Hood venue being threatened by the evil Sherriff.

Mr Mills runs the Leadmill as a commercial operation.

Now he is upset that his landlord wants to take over the space and invest money in a refurbishment.

It is often the case that venues need to change to continue to thrive.

Yours sincerely,R. Noble