Electric Studios to Revive Sheffield's Iconic Leadmill with Major Redevelopment by 2026

December 21, 2025
Electric Studios to Revive Sheffield's Iconic Leadmill with Major Redevelopment by 2026
  • A stone sculpture commissioned for the entrance will be reconstructed as part of the redevelopment, following the removal of previous artwork amid planning disputes.

  • Upstairs, the site will offer coworking spaces for 40 young, creative people from diverse backgrounds for 18 months, with applications opening in late January.

  • Redevelopment costs are about £2 million, featuring a redesigned layout with improved sightlines, a new PA system, better facilities, and new rehearsal spaces to foster collaboration.

  • A trailer has been released for Electric Studios, the new music venue replacing Sheffield's Leadmill, with opening planned for spring 2026 and a capacity of 1,050 for live gigs and 1,450 for club events.

  • Dominic Madden, Co-Founder of Electric Group, described Sheffield as special and outlined a plan for substantial investment, curation, and a fan- and artist-centered experience, with over 100 jobs created during final preparations.

  • Electric Group pledged to keep the site as a music venue for the next 100 years and positioned Electric Studios as a cornerstone of Sheffield’s live music scene, aiming to collaborate with national and independent promoters, labels, and brands for diverse programming.

  • Before closure, fans and artists broadly supported the Leadmill during eviction threats in 2022, with reflections from Arctic Monkeys, Richard Hawley, Jarvis Cocker, and Pulp members on the venue’s significance.

  • Local supporters view the revival as a renewal of the Leadmill’s cultural impact, a cultural initiative first introduced when the building opened in 1980.

  • The project will maintain a capacity of 1,050 for live gigs and 1,450 for club events, with plans to collaborate with national and independent promoters, labels, and brands for diverse programming.

  • The redesigned layout will include upgraded toilets, cloakrooms, staircases, a rehearsal room, communal area, and a kitchen to support collaboration.

  • The redevelopment includes dressing room and sound refurbishments to support a higher-capacity venue and aims to attract more music artists to Sheffield.

  • Dominic Madden emphasized investment, refurbishment, and a fan- and artist-centric program that preserves the building’s cultural significance while updating the experience.

Summary based on 4 sources


Get a daily email with more UK News stories

More Stories