The Leadmill has announced that it has lost its appeal against eviction, meaning it will be leaving its long-standing premises. 

The venue, which has been open since 1980, is owned by Electric Group, who have been trying to regain control over the building in a long-lasting legal battle since 2022.

The Leadmill announced the news on their official Instagram page yesterday (Wednesday), saying that they had “been ordered to vacate premises in three months.”

The statement also said: “The decision allows our landlord to proceed with plans to take over the empty building and will result in the loss of over 70 jobs.

“We’ve fought tirelessly to protect the independent venue which has supported countless artists, musicians and creatives for over four decades. Today’s decision feels like a betrayal of the cultural fabric of our city.”

The Leadmill is home to a variety of events, including club nights and live gigs, with recent performers including The Kooks and Inhaler. 

A number of former performers came out in support of the venue during their legal battle, such as Liam Gallagher, who described the news as “scandalous.”

During a 2022 appearance at The Leadmill, Pulp frontman Jarvis Cocker said the landlords “may own the bricks and mortar, but they don’t own the spirit,” adding that they should “have some respect for a beautiful thing.”

A parliament petition was also set up when the battle first began in 2022, which would suspend Section 25 of the Landlord and Tenant Act in order to prevent the eviction, but, despite receiving over 45,000 signatures, the government rejected the proposal. 

Student Ted Winterbottom, 19, of Ranmoor, described the eviction as “heartbreaking.”

He said: “The closure of Leadmill is heartbreaking. It’s a historic venue that’s nurtured Sheffield’s music culture for decades. Losing it feels like losing a piece of the city’s soul.”

Electric Group, who have owned the building since 2019, plan to ensure that The Leadmill remains a “cornerstone of the live music scene” in Sheffield, to ensure it remains open for the “next 100 years.”

Despite the impending eviction, tickets for future events remain valid as organisers search for new venues across Sheffield.