Sheffield\u2019s Leadmill has been denied its eviction appeal and given three months to vacate the premises.<\/p>\n
Though the venue have fought a lengthy battle to stay afloat, the venue posted a statement on social media saying that they \u201clost their legal appeal\u201d against the eviction notice served by their landlord, the Electric Group<\/a>. The group also owns London\u2019s Electric Brixton, Bristol\u2019s SWX and Newcastle\u2019s NX.<\/p>\n Despite the support of high-profile figures including Pulp<\/a>\u2018s Jarvis Cocker<\/a>, the team will now have to vacate within the next three months, calling it \u201ca heartbreaking moment not just for our team but for the entire Sheffield community.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ve fought tirelessly to protect this independent venue which has supported countless artists, musicians and creatives for over four decades,\u201d the statement said, adding that \u201ctoday\u2019s decision feels like a betrayal of the cultural fabric of our city.\u201d<\/p>\n The Leadmill team wrote that though they are \u201ctruly devastated by this outcome\u201d, they \u201calso know hand on heart that we did everything possible to stop the Leadmill being evicted. We have poured our energy, time, love and determination into this fight and we\u2019re immensely proud of our team and the community that stood by us.\u201d<\/p>\n They also warned that this decision has \u201cramifications for every business tenant in the country\u201d, explaining that \u201cthe judgment in the High Court and in the Court of Appeal confirms that tenants have no rights whatsoever, that if a landlord wants to profit from evicting the tenant and copying the tenant\u2019s business, it can do so.\u201d<\/p>\n The Leadmill continued, announcing a number of farewell events to be held at the venue, adding that they\u2019re working on relocating planned future gigs at other venues in Sheffield.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are devastated but not defeated,\u201d they concluded.\u00a0\u201cThis is not the end of The Leadmill\u2019s spirit \u2013 it\u2019s a call to action for everyone who believes in the importance of independent culture.\u201d<\/p>\n NME has approached The Electric Group for comment.<\/p>\n Previously, the Electric Group commented on the ruling to NME,<\/a> saying that they intended to keep the Leadmill as a live music venue: \u201cWe welcome the court\u2019s consideration and careful decision to award a possession order for the Leadmill; an important ruling following difficult legal proceedings.<\/p>\n \u201cThe successful legal outcome paves the way for a bright future for this venue, ensuring it will receive the substantial investment it needs to thrive. It will continue to be a cornerstone of the live music scene in Sheffield, supporting artists, fans, and community projects for the next 100 years.\u201d<\/p>\n Since its inception in 1980, the Leadmill has hosted a number of huge acts including Def Leppard<\/a>,\u00a0Oasis<\/a>, Coldplay<\/a>, and kindled the careers of Arctic Monkeys<\/a>, Kings Of Leon<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0The Killers<\/a><\/p>\n It was first served an eviction notice in 2022<\/a>, which resulted in an outcry from the likes of Arctic Monkeys, Jarvis Cocker and Bring Me The Horizon\u2019s Oli Sykes<\/a>.<\/p>\n The Electric Group has previously told music fans that they had no intention of closing the venue when they end the current occupiers\u2019 lease<\/a>. However, the Leadmill team soon responded, arguing that they were being \u201cexterminated by the landlord\u201d<\/a>.<\/p>\n Their case was then taken to the Leeds Property and Business Court, and after initially having its judgement deferred<\/a>, the court ruled in favour of the landlords last February.<\/p>\n Though nothing has been confirmed, the Leadmill\u2019s team have previously said they could possibly move to a new location if evicted.<\/a><\/p>\n\n<\/blockquote>\n