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The Leadmill
The Leadmill was the longest running live music venue and nightclub in Sheffield, in the county of South Yorkshire, England, based on Leadmill Road, lying on the southeast edge of the city centre. It opened in 1980 in a former flour mill, originally a Community Centre, and closed on 27 June 2025.
The venue hosted live music, comedians, theatre productions, record fairs, cabaret, drag, and talks.
The Leadmill first opened in 1980 in the building that previously housed the Esquire, a 1960s club that had hosted gigs by Jimi Hendrix and Small Faces. The Esquire was housed in one of the upper floors of the building that is now occupied by the box office.
Originally acting as a community centre, the venue was not granted an alcohol license until 1982 and so initially hosted plays, education and training workshops and live music. In the early 1980s, the Leadmill had a mission statement to promote the education of the public in the arts and to promote social welfare by providing recreational and leisure-time facilities. The young and unemployed were the central focus of the venue throughout the 1980s.
Early events at the venue included a 1982 pantomime directed by Jarvis Cocker, and the Housemartins queuing for their own 1984 gig, but being turned away by bouncers. The venue also hosted the Festival Against Unemployment in September 1982, promoting local bands; New Model Soldier, Party Day and Agent Orange. Jazz For Lunch, an afternoon live music event, was often held on Sundays throughout the 1980s.
In 1988, Prince Charles visited the Leadmill. He described it as "a building well restored" and went on to say, "It houses a theatre, live music venue, educational and training centre, not to mention a restaurant, bar, nightclub, and, they say, it makes a profit!".
In the 1990s the Leadmill became the Sheffield home of Gatecrasher before launching its own house night RISE. Sheffield's Arctic Monkeys sold out the Leadmill in 2005, quicker than any other band.
In 2017, the venue began renovation work which included tearing up the original dance floor to make way for a new one. Instead of throwing it away, the venue decided to cut it up into individual engraved pieces for customers to purchase. In addition to the new dancefloor, the venue also revealed a new mezzanine floor in the back right corner of the main room. 2017 also saw the venue host its first comedy festival with 55 acts taking to the stage over the space of a week.
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The Leadmill
The Leadmill was the longest running live music venue and nightclub in Sheffield, in the county of South Yorkshire, England, based on Leadmill Road, lying on the southeast edge of the city centre. It opened in 1980 in a former flour mill, originally a Community Centre, and closed on 27 June 2025.
The venue hosted live music, comedians, theatre productions, record fairs, cabaret, drag, and talks.
The Leadmill first opened in 1980 in the building that previously housed the Esquire, a 1960s club that had hosted gigs by Jimi Hendrix and Small Faces. The Esquire was housed in one of the upper floors of the building that is now occupied by the box office.
Originally acting as a community centre, the venue was not granted an alcohol license until 1982 and so initially hosted plays, education and training workshops and live music. In the early 1980s, the Leadmill had a mission statement to promote the education of the public in the arts and to promote social welfare by providing recreational and leisure-time facilities. The young and unemployed were the central focus of the venue throughout the 1980s.
Early events at the venue included a 1982 pantomime directed by Jarvis Cocker, and the Housemartins queuing for their own 1984 gig, but being turned away by bouncers. The venue also hosted the Festival Against Unemployment in September 1982, promoting local bands; New Model Soldier, Party Day and Agent Orange. Jazz For Lunch, an afternoon live music event, was often held on Sundays throughout the 1980s.
In 1988, Prince Charles visited the Leadmill. He described it as "a building well restored" and went on to say, "It houses a theatre, live music venue, educational and training centre, not to mention a restaurant, bar, nightclub, and, they say, it makes a profit!".
In the 1990s the Leadmill became the Sheffield home of Gatecrasher before launching its own house night RISE. Sheffield's Arctic Monkeys sold out the Leadmill in 2005, quicker than any other band.
In 2017, the venue began renovation work which included tearing up the original dance floor to make way for a new one. Instead of throwing it away, the venue decided to cut it up into individual engraved pieces for customers to purchase. In addition to the new dancefloor, the venue also revealed a new mezzanine floor in the back right corner of the main room. 2017 also saw the venue host its first comedy festival with 55 acts taking to the stage over the space of a week.