Sheffield Leadmill landlord granted shadow licence
The landlords of The Leadmill have been granted a shadow premises licence, amid a furore about the future of the Sheffield (UK) music venue.
The venue was bought in 2017 by Electric Group – the owner of London’s Electric Brixton, Bristol’s SWX and Newcastle’s NX – which in 2022 served an eviction notice on the current management, The Leadmill Ltd.
The Leadmill Ltd has claimed the venue would “no longer exist” if it is forced out and is behind the long-running public Save the Leadmill campaign.
Electric Group’s Dominic Madden, however, previously told IQ that the company “intends to continue operating the space as a music venue”.
The dispute culminated in a licensing sub-committee hearing this week, with Sheffield City Council today approving the Group’s application for a shadow premises licence, saying they had demonstrated they could “uphold all four of the licensing objectives”.
“We hope we can put the hostilities of the Save the Leadmill campaign behind us”
“The granting of this licence does not affect the current premises licence held by the venue,” A council spokesperson said. “It allows the second party to run the venue under this ‘shadow licence’ if the current premises licence were to be revoked or surrendered.”
Speaking to IQ today, Madden said: “This is a significant milestone – and we would like to extend our gratitude to Sheffield City Council and the Licencing Committee for focusing on facts, not smears and our outstanding track record of compliance.
“We hope that this decision can mark the beginning of a new chapter, where we can put the hostilities of the Save the Leadmill campaign behind us. Our repeated intention has always been clear – to secure The Leadmill as a thriving music venue for music artists and community projects.”
Around 100 protesters gathered outside the council officers as the hearing began this week, though it subsequently transpired that some of them were paid £40 by the venue to attend.
The Leadmill Ltd, meanwhile, said “the future of The Leadmill and its staff is far from over,” adding it was “considering our next steps over the coming few days”.
An appeal against the decision can be made to a magistrates’ court within 21 days, the local authority said.
Since opening its doors in 1980, the Sheffield venue and club has hosted the likes of Pulp, Coldplay, The Stone Roses and Oasis, as well as early shows from Arctic Monkeys, Kings Of Leon and The Killers.
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Leadmill landlord blasts “nonsense” closure claims
The landlord of The Leadmill has discussed the future of the legendary UK music venue, amidst the management’s ongoing anti-eviction campaign.
Since opening its doors in 1980, the 900-capacity Sheffield venue and club has hosted the likes of Pulp, Coldplay, The Stone Roses and Oasis, as well as early shows from Arctic Monkeys, Kings Of Leon and The Killers.
In 2017, the site’s freehold was bought by the Electric Group — the owner of London’s Electric Brixton, Bristol’s SWX and Newcastle’s NX – which became the landlord for The Leadmill’s longtime leaseholder Phil Mills.
The Electric Group served Mills’ company a notice of eviction last year in advance of his lease coming to an end in March 2023. This prompted the leaseholder and his staff to launch an anti-eviction petition which centred around claims that the venue was facing closure.
In a statement to IQ, The Leadmill’s general manager Ian Lawlor said: “Madden and Jacob Lewis are using a loophole in the law to force The Leadmill out of business. If they succeed The Leadmill will no longer exist.”
“We own other music venues up and down the country and we’d like to run [The Leadmill] ourselves”
The 2022 petition garnered 46,054 signatures and drew the support of artists such as Arctic Monkeys, Kaiser Chiefs and Cribs, as well as politicians such as Jeremy Corbyn.
“This E-Petition is fighting to prevent landlords unfairly and unjustly evicting long-standing tenants for their own financial gain,” read the accompanying statement. “In circumstances where a tenant has invested a huge amount of money, time and effort in establishing themselves, has paid rent on time (even throughout Covid lockdowns) and has improved the fabric of the premises beyond recognition, it is inconceivable that the landlord should be able to evict and inherit the investment that the tenant has made. The Leadmill is a valuable asset to the community and an integral part of the local culture which cannot be destroyed in this way.”
But the Electric Group has maintained that the site would continue to run as a music venue – something the company will have to prove in court in early 2024 as it seeks to bring Mills’ tenancy to a close.
“The insinuation that The Leadmill was closing flat is a complete load of nonsense,” explains Electric Group’s Dominic Madden. “It was so disingenuous that we didn’t respond but what we’ve done in the background is engaged with political leadership, community activists, and residents and got a clear sense of what the music community wants in Sheffield.
“Our basis for saying to Mr Mills that we’re not willing to renew his tenancy is because we own other music venues up and down the country and we’d like to run [The Leadmill] ourselves and bring it into the Electric Group’s touring circuit.”
“It would be a success if customers or music fans come in, and [the venue] doesn’t really seem to have changed”
The management’s most recent appeal asked fans to object to Electric Group’s application for a premises licence, allowing them to run their own business from the site. The team suggested supporters research online to understand how the group’s other venues were run and make objections “based on your understanding of the landlord’s experience and competence”.
Madden counters: “A shadow premises licence is a very basic thing that landlords usually get to make sure that if a tenant goes bankrupt or hands the licence back that the premises then can carry on. We understand how to run music venues. The venues I have in Brixton, Bristol and Newcastle are all run by teams – we’re not an AMG-style operator. We don’t have reams of promoters in-house, we work in partnership with people, and the venues are really successful because of it.”
The incumbent management team has also claimed that retaining The Leadmill name would be an infringement on their intellectual property rights. While Electric Group initially said they would retain The Leadmill name, Madden says his company are now seeking legal advice on the matter.
In terms of the ongoing operation of the venue, Madden says he “doesn’t really want it to change particularly. I don’t envisage any real change in the tone of programming so we’re still focusing on gigs and comedy. It would be a success if customers or music fans come in, and [the venue] doesn’t really seem to have changed.
“The venue hasn’t been used that much by national promoters but we’ve had interesting feedback from some that really want to use it. So our intention at the moment is to do some work on [the venue] but we’re not intending to do a major refurbishment like we did with NX in Newcastle. The Leadmill just needs improvements to toilets, dressing rooms, some of the backstage areas, things like that.”
The management is holding a public hearing on 18 September in Sheffield where people can “help by opposing the Landlord’s latest attempt to force us onto the street”.
Madden, meanwhile, is confident Electric Group’s plans will go ahead: “We have a track record of running music venues, a great background in compliance and… our case is very, very strong.”
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Leadmill owner refutes concerns from management
The new owner of legendary UK music venue The Leadmill has responded to management’s fresh appeal for support of their anti-eviction campaign.
Since opening its doors in 1980, the Sheffield venue and club has hosted the likes of Pulp, Coldplay, The Stone Roses and Oasis, as well as early shows from Arctic Monkeys, Kings Of Leon and The Killers.
Last year, the venue’s management announced that it was facing threat of closure due to its landlord issuing a notice of eviction.
The Leadmill is owned by Electric Group — which also own London’s Electric Brixton, Bristol’s SWX and Newcastle’s NX.
The Group bought the site’s freehold in 2017 and previously told music fans that they had no intention of closing the venue when they end the current occupiers’ lease in 2023. “The management may change but the song stays the same,” Dominic Madden, CEO and co-founder of Electric Group, wrote on Twitter.
The management, however, hit back, arguing that they were being “exterminated by the landlord”. Yesterday (May 17), they made a new appeal to fans, asking for support after revealing that landlords were reportedly moving forward with eviction plans.
Posting on The Leadmill’s website, management wrote that the “general public are able to object to a premises licence application if they are aware of any relevant reasons as to why it should not be granted”.
“We recognise the roots of the Leadmill within the community and we are determined to see it succeed and thrive”
Now, Electric Group’s Madden has issued a fresh statement in response: “We have owned the Leadmill premises since 2017. With the current lease coming to an end, Electric Group has applied for a licence application as part of the transition process.
“As we have always maintained, we intend to continue operating the space as a music venue, focussing on a diverse mix of gigs, club nights and comedy events. We’re an independent music venue operator which is committed to music and investing in venues. We have been running licensed venues since 2003 and have never had any issue or license review.
“Our venues in London, Newcastle and Bristol host hundreds of gigs and events every year for thousands of music fans. Our team has many years of experience running venues, producing theatre and promoting gigs. When we purchased the freehold for the Leadmill in 2017 it was threatened with redevelopment into flats. We didn’t want that to happen, so we stepped in to buy it and save it – something the leaseholder was not prepared to do.
“The current Leadmill campaign is unfortunately misleading people into thinking we want to close the venue with no regard for its history. That is not the case. In fact, we want to invest in the future of the space – albeit one which will mark the start of a new chapter for a building which has many generations of history with a variety of different operators since it was first a flour mill.
“We hope to be a great custodian of the venue for the next generation. We recognise the roots of the Leadmill within the community and we are determined to see it succeed and thrive.”
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Ticketmaster renews with Electric Group
Ticketmaster has renewed its partnership with UK-based independent music venue operator Electric Group.
Formed in 2013, the Group runs Electric Brixton (cap. 1,700) in London, SWX (1,800) in Bristol, and NX (2,100) in Newcastle.
The collaboration with Ticketmaster comes as NX (the former O2 Academy Newcastle) hosts its first concert since undergoing a £2.7 million redevelopment.
SWX has also been given a redo, costing £3.2m, after an arson attack damaged the building. The restored venue reopened in early September, just over a year after the incident.
“I’m delighted to renew our long-term ticketing partnership with our friends at Ticketmaster,” says Dominic Madden, Electric Group CEO.
“It’s a great and easy fit and I know that we will receive the focus that is required to support our existing venue estate and the mighty new NX Newcastle.”
“Spaces like these are the heartbeat of the live industry, a breeding ground for talent”
Today’s announcement coincides with the appointment of Sam Isles as senior vice president of Ticketmaster Clubs International, heading up the division across Europe.
Already a veteran of club venue ticketing with a stint at Brixton Academy, Sam joined Ticketmaster to lead TicketWeb UK, and then launched the international arm of Ticketmaster’s Artist Services division, leading its market expansion.
In her new role, Isles will drive Ticketmaster’s ongoing investments in creating industry-leading technology and DIY solutions to serve the unique ticketing needs of clubs and independent venues with innovative tools and solutions to grow their business.
“Having worked with the team at Electric Brixton for more than ten years and now SWX Bristol, we know they’re going to bring a one-of-a-kind vision to NX Newcastle,” says Sam Isles, SVP Clubs International.
“Spaces like these are the heartbeat of the live industry, a breeding ground for talent and where fans discover the artists they’ll love for decades to come. They are vital, and our mission at Ticketmaster is to provide the world-class tools and support that can empower these iconic rooms.”
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Bristol’s SWX gets £3.2m redo after arson attack
SWX Bristol, a 1,800-capacity venue in the southwest of England, is to reopen just over a year after an arson attack damaged the building.
Following the incident, Electric Group, which has owned and operated the venue since 2017, gave the Nelson Street venue a £3.2 million reconstruction.
The restored venue is due to reopen on 9 September with a show by metal band Gloryhammer, followed by club night Far Fetched.
Electric Group said the focus of the rebuild was on restoring the previous infrastructure with upgraded tech. The refit involved the fitting of an L-Acoustics Kara II PA, all new lighting, motors, and a Fiend Productions’ LED wall.
Among the most notable changes are the double-height foyer, a reinstated feature from the Top Rank Suite-era, and a wheelchair-friendly lift that opens up access to all three floors for people with a disability.
The venue closed 13 months ago when an arsonist, who was said to be obsessed with lockdown measures, set light to a petrol-soaked towel and posted it through the SWX letterbox.
“We are already ahead in Q4 and Q1 [2023] in terms of show counts from pre-pandemic”
Artists slated to play at SWX this year include Banks, Rema, Young T & Bugsey, Sugababes and Black Midi.
“The response has almost been overwhelming,” says Electric Group head of music Mike Weller. “We are already ahead in Q4 and Q1 [2023] in terms of show counts from pre-pandemic. On almost a daily basis for nearly a year I’ve been asked, ‘Is the diary open? When will you be back?'”
Electric Group CEO Dominic Madden said, “The fire, product of an arsonist’s obsessive concern with lockdown and Covid legislation, was started at 4 am and raged for 27 hours. Our original sprung dance floor lives to tell the tale but not much else.
“Among the reconstruction we have fitted electric shutters at all entrances to ensure nothing like this can happen again.
“While our priority was to retain the essence of the venue’s success, updating facilities to ensure that SWX would serve the requirements of artists and audiences for another 50 years, I was really pleased to take this opportunity to make the venue fully disability friendly.”
Alongside SWX, Electric Group also runs London’s 1,700-cap. Electric Brixton (formerly the Fridge), and owns O2 Academy Newcastle (operated by Academy Music Group) and the Leadmill in Sheffield.
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Electric Group details £1.5m refurb of former O2 Academy Newcastle
Independent music venue owner Electric Group has unveiled plans for the £1.5 million redevelopment of its newest acquisition NX, the former O2 Academy Newcastle.
Opening in October 2022, NX will be a “state-of-the-art 21st-century independent music venue”, to open in March 2022.
The company’s venue portfolio also includes Electric Brixton and SWX Bristol.
“After many years in the planning, I’m delighted to announce our exciting vision for the refurbishment of the O2 Academy Newcastle, which of course has a seminal history and we have the important task of curating the next stage of the venue’s development,” says Electric Group CEO Dominic Madden.
“NX will be a state-of-the-art 21st-century independent music venue. Our vision is to undertake a comprehensive refurbishment of the venue, with a focus on making the main room a more intimate gig experience, both for the music fan and the artist.
“Our vision is to undertake a comprehensive refurbishment, with a focus on making the main room a more intimate gig experience”
“Our plans include the creation of new standing mezzanine staircases on either side of the main room, and with access to an intimate standing platform within the existing balcony and with bars and access to a contained roof terrace for music fans to use.
“This redesign will improve sightlines for music fans and bring them closer to the stage. This 21st-century vision also fully respects the grandeur and history of the existing venue whilst putting the artist and fan experience front and centre of our plans.”
The live diary for NX is already open and is being overseen by Electric Group head of music Mike Weller.
“We operate with an independent mindset, shaping an easy and collaborative culture for promoters to embrace NX with as few financial strings attached as possible,” adds Madden.
“We will be investing substantially to make the venue production complete and we are focused on providing a perfect platform for shows so we can help promoters smash ticket sales.”
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Electric Brixton owner takes over Bristol’s SWX
The new owner of UK venue SWX is to work with local and national promoters to bring more live music to what it calls “the best 1,100-capacity room in Bristol”.
Electric Group, which also runs London’s 1,700-cap. Electric Brixton (formerly the Fridge) completed a deal for SWX last month after being impressed with its atmosphere, production and sightlines.
Backed by box-office and marketing support from TicketWeb, Electric Group will manage the SWX live diary from Brixton under its head of music, Mike Weller.
Dominic Madden, Electric Group co-founder, comments: “We operate with an independent mindset, shaping an easy and collaborative culture for promoters to embrace SWX with as few financial strings attached as possible.
“We are focused on providing a perfect platform for shows so we can help promoters smash ticket sales”
“Having invested substantially to make the venue production complete, we are focused on providing a perfect platform for shows so we can help promoters smash ticket sales.”
DHP Family and local promoter MJR have put several profile acts into SWX this year, including Thee Oh Sees, Ride and Django Django, with Aldous Harding, Saint Etienne and Beans on Toast and Skinny Lister coming up over the next few weeks.
SWX, on Nelson Street, is the latest incarnation of a music venue that started life as a Top Rank ballroom, hosting performances by luminaries including the Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, Cream and The Beach Boys. As well as live shows, it also hosts DJ nights (upcoming sets include Clean Bandit, Sigma and Sigala) and club nights, the latter of which attract more than a quarter of a million Bristol students to the venue annually.
“A venue’s success depends on the people that work there,” concludes Electric Group, a joint venture between Dominic Madden and River Island owners the Lewis family. “Electric Group is picking a team to underpin the live element of the business and support the fantastic staff already in place, led by a GM who has been at SWX for eight years.”
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