The Leadmill: Sheffield’s longest running live music venue raises money to secure new permanent home after 45 years at its original site
The Leadmill - Sheffield’s longest running live music venue - launches a public crowdfunding campaign to secure a new permanent home in the city.
After 45 years, The Leadmill, one of Sheffield’s cultural spaces, is working towards reopening as a new venue, continuing its platform for live music, comedy, club nights, cinema and talks.
The campaign titled The New Leadmill - Powered By The People invites supporters to contribute what they can to help fund the deposit, fit-out and long-term security of a new venue space.
Since opening in 1980, more than 10 million people have walked through The Leadmill’s doors, helping to establish it as Sheffield’s cultural staple and a base for artists, creatives and performers.
The Leadmill operates as an independent, privately run company. The crowdfunder aims to raise the money required to secure a new space that allows the venue to remain independent in future.
Money raised will be ring-fenced and used for:
- Securing a new venue space
- Building and fitting out performance areas, bars and technical infrastructure
- Ensuring full accessibility throughout the venue
- Preserving and reinstating Leadmill heritage items, including its neon sign
A spokesperson for The Leadmill said: “This isn’t about starting over - it’s about continuing something that Sheffield helped build.
“The address may change, but the purpose stays the same: bringing people together through culture, music and creativity.”
The crowdfunding campaign is live now and will be open to supporters locally and beyond.