The Leadmill Sheffield: Famous names voice support for iconic music venue after landlords give notice

The music venue’s owners claimed they have been served notice by their landlords and ordered to leave the premises in one year’s time.

The club’s owners released a statement – titled “Landlord to evict The Leadmill and force them out of business” – and took to Twitter to launch the #WeCantLoseLeadmill hashtag.

The live music venue has been at its home on Leadmill Road for more than 40 years.

However in 2014, it shared the following message on Twitter: “We’re not closing! Don’t worry … just changing landlords! We’ve got the lease until 2023!”

Another message around the same time read: “Just putting rumours to rest @leadmill is NOT for sale – only the building. We have the lease until 2023 so we’re here for a long while!”

But the claims of ‘eviction’ yesterday prompted a huge show of support from the public. The hashtag reportedly became the number one trending topic in the UK after just 39 minutes.

Dozens of big names in the UK’s music and entertainment scene tweeted in support of the Sheffield venue, praising it as “legendary”, “the best night out in the country”, and “part of the beating heart of Sheffield”.

“I think a stink needs kicking up about this,” said BBC radio star Marc Riley. “This is such terrible news. The Leadmill is a huge part of Sheffield’s musical heritage.”

“No no no no no,” said fellow radio host Steve Lamacq. “Surely this can’t be happening.”

Songwriter Billy Bragg wrote: “This is awful news for Sheffield and for up and coming artists looking to build an audience. The Leadmill is crucial to both.”

Meanwhile, many UK bands threw their support in, with the official Twitter pages for The Pogues, The Sherlocks and Mystery Jets – to name but a few – weighing in.

The official Twitter account for The Kaiser Chiefs tweeted: “We played @Leadmill in our early days and not only do we have very fond memories, it really helped us, too.

“It would be a huge loss not just for Sheffield and Yorkshire, but the whole UK music scene.”

Many key names from across the entertainment industry have also thrown their weight behind the Leadmill.

Comedian Joe Lycett said the closure would be “a terrible loss to culture in the UK”, while Mock the Week’s Angela Barnes wrote: “This will be a terrible loss. From seeing bands there in the 90s to getting to gig there myself - I've loved the Leadmill. It is legendary and part of the beating heart of Sheffield.”

Podcaster and creator of BBC’s Brexitcast Dino Sofos said: “This is a disgrace and will be another huge loss to Sheffield. Unless they want the city to become a collection of flats and takeaways, I hope Sheffield City Council do all in their power to stop this.”

Singer-songwriter for ‘The Wedding Present’ David Gedge wrote: “The legendary Sheffield @Leadmill is being threatened with closure. It’s one of the best venues in the world. Please support them!”

At home, dozens of Sheffield figures and organisations also voiced their support, including MP Louise Haighs, cabinet member Mahzer Iqbal, the Tramlines Festival and the Sheffield Eagles.

Thousands of regular Sheffield and UK partygoers and fans who have enjoyed a night at the Leadmill over years have also tweeted their support.

The Leadmill has been contacted for a comment.