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‘Sheffield Leadmill’s future hangs in the balance’ as judgment postponed

Posted on by Sweet
‘Sheffield Leadmill’s future hangs in the balance’ as judgment postponed

Legendary Sheffield venue The Leadmill has claimed its future “hangs in the balance” after a court adjourned judgment on their possible eviction.

The institution has been under threat since its owners, Electric Group, issued an eviction notice in March 2022, sparking an outcry in the music industry and among concertgoers.

Electric Group, a joint venture between Dominic Madden and Jacob Lewis which also owns Electric Brixton of London, SWX of Bristol and NX of Newcastle, bought the freehold of the site in 2017 and said shortly afterwards that it had no intending to close the site after terminating the current occupants. rental.

However, the site’s management quickly responded, arguing that it was “exterminated by the owner”. In May, the 900-seat venue won its first court battle against its owner, winning an adjournment to allow it to prepare new arguments and respond to new evidence.

The next stage of the court proceedings took place earlier this week at Leeds Property and Business Court, and as the Leadmill confirmed with a series of X posts on Friday (December 20), judgment was ultimately postponed.

“The fate of The Leadmill remains uncertain as the court adjourns judgment in this case which could set a critical precedent for independent venues across the UK,” they wrote.

Summarizing the events leading up to the current case, they added: “Crucially, no evidence has been provided to suggest that The Leadmill was ever under threat, until The Electric Group itself created one. »

“Despite their public assertions, it has become clear during this process that The Electric Group’s true intention is to capitalize on the goodwill, reputation and trust that The Leadmill has built over 45 years in business.

“Can a landlord evict their tenant and take advantage of the reputation, community trust and goodwill that the tenant has spent decades building? they added.

They added that they “earned” their reputation through “hard work, careful selection and community events”, adding: “This case highlights a worrying precedent for cultural venues across the UK. If landlords can kick out tenants and profit off their hard-earned reputation, it threatens the survival of independent venues everywhere.”

Citing the Human Rights Act, which they say “extends protection not only to physical property but also to intangible assets such as goodwill,” they also point to the Landlord-Tenant Act, which , they argue, should “provide tenants with protection against arbitrary or exploitative actions.” “.

In conclusion, they said: “For 45 years, The Leadmill has been a cultural cornerstone for Sheffield. It is more than a building; it is a space defined by its people, its history and the values ​​it upholds: supporting local artists and local promoters, fostering a sense of community and creativity, building a reputation for quality, trust and inclusiveness that the public now relies on. »

“Electric Group’s actions threaten to dismantle this legacy by severing the connection between the place and the people who built its reputation.”

Leadmill management have already launched a new appeal to fans, asking for their support after revealing the owners had reportedly moved forward with their eviction plans.

Electric Group’s Dominic Madden responded by doubling down on claims that they “intend to continue to operate the space as a live music venue, focusing on a diverse mix of gigs, club nights and of comic events.

Madden confirmed in his witness statement in May that if he was successful in being evicted, the space would no longer be called “The Leadmill” and all current staff would be replaced. He also said he would evict users of the workshop if he was successful, effectively ending the tenancies of those still working at The Leadmill.

The Leadmill launched a “Battle For The Soul Of Sheffield” campaign last summer, aiming to rally support as the venue fights for its survival.

Richard Hawley and Jarvis Cocker on stage at the Leadmill in Sheffield on August 9. Credit: Tom Sunderland

Since opening in 1980, the venue has hosted early shows by Arctic Monkeys, Kings Of Leon and The Killers, and remains a popular live music and clubbing venue.

After news of his threat emerged in 2022, former Labor leader Jeremy Corbyn visited the Leadmill and encouraged others to “support him”.

He also echoed the views of countless Sheffield residents, calling it the “heart of the city”, as well as the stance taken by Arctic Monkeys, Bring Me The Horizon’s Jarvis Cocker and Oli Sykes, among the artists on Sheffield who spoke out in favor of the event. of the place.

Richard Hawley from Sheffield has also been a keen supporter of The Leadmill for years now – having played several gigs there throughout 2022 to raise funds and awareness. Some of his shows also saw him join fellow Sheffield artists Jarvis Cocker and Rebecca Taylor (aka Self Esteem) on stage.

The Leadmill said he could potentially move to a new location if he was evicted, describing potential plans as “hypothetical” and “plan B or plan C”.

Talk to NME Discussing the venue’s history last February, Hawley said the staff who built the venue over the years should be allowed to continue running it under the same name.

“What’s upsetting is that if it was a bankrupt company, I would understand if someone took it over. What annoys me is that it doesn’t surprise me that greedy assholes are buying up the land below them. If they evicted (the staff from the venue) and turned it into apartments, it would be an absolute tragedy but a little easier to accept,” he said.

“They basically bought the land below them, issued them an eviction notice and are going to steal their business. To me, this is extremely immoral. If I ran a venue, or even a chip shop, I’d think: “Wait a second, if they get away with this, then who’s next?” This is simply false.