Liam Gallagher has blasted a ‘scandalous’ decision to close an iconic venue which has hosted massive bands including Oasis, Coldplay and the Arctic Monkeys after the owners lost a court fight against eviction.
The Leadmill in Sheffield has held performances from some of the biggest bands in the world and is the longest-running live music venue and nightclub in the city.
It opened in 1980 in a building which already had a history of hosting music royalty. Previously known as The Esquire, a 1960s club which welcomed Jimi Hendrix and Small Faces.
The owners of the venue have now confirmed it has lost its long-running court battle against the building’s landlord Electric Group.
They say they must vacate the premises within the next three months in a move which will result in the loss of 70 jobs after losing its appeal against a February court ruling to evict them.
It follows years of arguments between the club and the landlords, which purchased the building in 2017.
Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher hit out at the decision with a one word message saying ‘SCANDALOUS’.
Liam Gallagher pictured at one of Oasis’ first-ever Sheffield shows at The Leadmill in 1994
The Leadmill night club in Sheffield, which is set to close in three months
Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher responded to news of the venue’s closure on social media
Oasis first performed at the iconic Sheffield venue in 1994.
The singer, 52, was responding to a statement released by the venue announcing their closure on social media.
It wrote: ‘The Leadmill has played host to a generation of iconic acts including Deff Leppard, Pulp, Arctic Monkeys, Coldplay, Oasis and countless more.
‘We have also served as a community space for art, theatre, comedy and grassroots activism.
‘This is a heartbreaking moment not just for our team but for the entire Sheffield community.
‘We’ve fought tirelessly to protect this independent venue which has supported countless artists, musicians and creatives for over four decades.’
The decision came after a court case was brought by The Electric Group in February, ordering longtime leaseholder Phil Mills (The Leadmill Ltd) to leave the premises.
The Electric Group currently owns and runs music venues across the country, including London’s Electric Brixton, Bristol’s SWX and Newcastle’s NX.
Mills and The Leadmill were served a notice of eviction in advance of his lease ending in March 2023, prompting Mills to launch an anti-eviction petition.
Jarvis Cocker, (right) reunited with ex Pulp bandmate Richard Hawley to support Sheffield’s Leadmill in 2022
In 2022 Jarvis Cocker reunited with his former Pulp bandmate and fellow Sheffield born musician Richard Hawley to support the venue.
The Leadmill was the home of the band’s first official gig 45 years ago.
Speaking at the time, a spokesperson for The Electric Group said the building would ‘continue to be a cornerstone of the live music scene in Sheffield, supporting artists, fans and community projects for the next 100 years’.
Mills launched an appeal with the High Court, challenging the decision made by a court in Leeds in February.
However a Court of Appeal hearing yesterday upheld the decision to evict The Leadmill.
A spokesperson for The Leadmill added: ‘We’re truly devastated by this outcome, but we also 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’re immensely proud of our team and the community that stood by us.
‘We walk forward with our heads held high, knowing we gave it our all.’
The venue confirmed that the closure will not affect tickets for upcoming events, saying that plans are in place to host their programme across other venues in the city.
It is preparing to host a series of farewell events in the next three months.
