Major Eviction Update – The Battle for the Soul of Sheffield

Today we launch a major campaign to block the hostile takeover of our city’s cultural heritage and history – The Battle for the Soul of Sheffield.

This isn’t just about us here at The Leadmill – everything that’s made our city what it is today is at stake. It may start with us, but it goes much further than that. If we don’t stop this hostile takeover, the very soul and character of our great city is at risk.

The Landlord is exploiting a loophole in the law, forcing us out of business in order to financially profit from the goodwill we have built up over 40 years. The Landlord has now approached the Council and applied for a premises license, which they need to be able to force us out of business. 

We need to ensure that this doesn’t kickstart a race to the bottom of a corporate barrel, putting at risk over 43 years of cultural heritage, history and community work from across our city, its people and businesses.

The battle we are facing is whether, in the years ahead, we have more or less independence; whether London property developers can close local businesses for profit; whether some of the greatest artists of all time can still be discovered and find a platform; whether cinema fans can come together for a showing of their favourite film; whether comedians can keep our city laughing; whether our nightlife can remain fun, safe and secure; whether all the culture, arts, music and heritage that our city has developed over its life can continue to thrive. 

This landlord is exploiting a legal loophole to evict and destroy a highly regarded, independent, Sheffield success story, forcing us to cease trading, all for profit. But it’s even worse than that. The venues run by this landlord have a disturbing history of violent crime, public disorder, sexual assault, overcrowding, understaffing and overlooking racist, sexist, and physical abuse.

The decision on whether to award the new landlord with the ability to take over The Leadmill will be decided on the 18th of September, and the campaign is encouraging local people to attend and make their opposition heard. 

It couldn’t be clearer. This is not just about The Leadmill. This is a fundamental Battle for the Soul of Sheffield. 

That’s why we’re asking you to help us win this battle. We need you to sign up and back our campaign – join us now at www.savetheleadmill.com and share our social media posts below to help get the word out.