Young people in Sheffield admit without the Leadmill they'd be 'getting up to no good' on the streets
We've been speaking to young people who use the Leadmill on a regular basis as a creative space
Young people in South Yorkshire tell us without the Leadmill - they'd probably be 'getting up to no good' on the streets.
Teenage grime artist Reio Thomas-Fauvel - from Sheffield - has been using a creative hub there for the last 9 months.
It won't be available for him to use in 3 months though - as staff at the iconic music venue have been ordered to 'vacate' the premises by August.
The 19-year-old says it's changed his life for the better & he can't imagine not coming down to the Leadmill:
"It's been a home; it's been a creative space and an ideation space.
"You can get away from life for a bit here and be surrounded by people who inspire you.
"If I'm ever in town, this is the only place I'm coming to, so it's devastating to think it's closing.
"If I wasn't here, I'd either be in my bedroom or I'd be out there getting into something I shouldn't be.
"It's a home for the people who either don't have a home, or don't want to go home.
"The Leadmill as a building; I played my first show here.
"It'll always hold some big memories for me because of that."
Last week, the Leadmill lost its eviction appeal against the Electric Group - who own the building in Sheffield city centre - following a legal battle which's lasted over 3 years.
21-year-old rapper Leah McClean - from Sheffield - has been using the creative hubs at the music venue for a number of years:
"For me, mentally, I feel like I've ended quite a lot of traumatic cycles within this building.
"Where are we all going to go now?
""I was homeless at a very young age, and then I was put into hostels; I was sectioned under the mental health act twice - and I'd pretty much been on my own since I was 14.
"But when I was 17 the Leadmill helped me. I joined the community here, and it helped me discover who I truly am in a non-judgemental environment.
"These live music venues are actually keeping people sane."
Meanwhile - South Yorkshire music promoter Dom Heslop runs the Slambarz HQ from inside the building - which many young musicians use as a creative hub.
He's also helped to put on plenty of live events at the Leadmill over the years:
"It's devastating. This is more than just a music venue for Sheffield - it's a hub for young people to thrive creatively.
"Growing up, I always used to walk past the building and see the waves of punters and artists - and I never, ever thought that we'd be able to reside in such a place.
"The Leadmill means home, it means community, it means opportunity, it means family.
"The staff here are so accessible and inclusive, which makes the artists and young people feel so comfortable.
"The nights that we've had here; I know they'll live on with the young people.
"300-400 people have attended some of the events we've put on with Slambarz.
"It's just so sad that we have to go like this."