Sheffield’s iconic Leadmill venue, which closed its doors last June, has set up a crowdfunding campaign to secure a permanent home.

A goal of £30,000 hopes to fund a new location that will prioritise accessibility with all new stage, light, and sound equipment. The company is asking for donations from five to 20 pounds to support their venture.

On their website, Michael Cross, promoter at the Leadmill, wrote: “This isn’t about starting over from scratch. It’s about continuing something that matters to people.

“If The Leadmill has ever meant something to you – a first gig, a favourite night out, the first time you met your partner – we’d love you to be part of what comes next.”

The closure of The Leadmill has come at a time of nationwide suffering for grassroots venues and the past seven months have seen the company collaborate with many independent Sheffield venues, including Sidney & Matilda and the Hallamshire Hotel.

Nearly 150 events, including club nights, live music and comedy, and cinema screenings, have been organised by The Leadmill. Mr Cross said: “None of this would’ve been possible without the brilliant venues that have opened their doors to us and that support Sheffield’s creative scene.”

Even in their closure, The Leadmill have platformed creative communities – from their very own stage at 2025’s Tramlines Festival to the ‘Sheffield Fringe Takeover’ they hosted at the end of last year.

Stevie Martin is one of many comedians whom The Leadmill ‘presented’ at local venue The Steamworks. She said: “Comedy and the arts [don’t] exist without grassroots venues.

“Without venues for hosting up and coming comedians, you don’t get… 90% of the comedians who are on Taskmaster! Or any other comedy show on TV. We’ve got to protect these places!”

The Leadmill’s legacy is also upheld by its involvement in student nightlife, currently hosting its iconic ‘Leadmill Fridays’ in Sheffield Student Union’s The Foundry. Students are excited at the prospect of a new venue – calling The Foundry’s take on the event ‘boring’ and ‘repetitive’.

Sofia Follano, 18, student at the University of Sheffield said: “I can’t wait. This is what I came to Sheffield for!”

Until its goal is reached, The Leadmill seems set to continue exciting and platforming Sheffield creatives and audiences alike.