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    ‘You’re destroying the cultural heritage of Walsall by moving the leather museum’ says MP

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    By Deborah Hardiman

    Copyright expressandstar

    'You're destroying the cultural heritage of Walsall by moving the leather museum' says MP

    Valerie Vaz said she and residents were astonished by the move to approve a scheme to close the current Walsall Leather Museum site, a former leather goods factory, and that the action amounted to “destroying the cultural heritage of Walsall”.

    At a meeting on Wednesday (September 24) the council’s cabinet committee rubber-stamped plans to acquire a new home in the town centre for the Littleton Street West attraction paving the way for it to be taken over by neighbouring Walsall College.

    Speaking after the meeting council leader Mike Bird said it had been a difficult decision for the cabinet to make, but one which was needed to balance the budget.

    In response Miss Vaz said: “Walsall Leather Museum is the top attraction on Trip Advisor, attracting international visitors and receiving a ‘Travellers’ Choice’ award in 2024.

    “A petition against any sale, closure or relocation of the Museum attracted 6,491 signatures and hundreds of people attended a demonstration and march on February 8 to oppose the closure. The cabinet announced on February 12 that Walsall Leather Museum will remain open in its current location to allow them to meet with stakeholders, deferring any decision until 2026.

    “The report makes vague references to ‘conversations’ with community, business and education about a better museum offer elsewhere but the public and elected representatives are being left in the dark. Walsall’s heritage clearly is not a priority for this Conservative council and to present the leather museum’s closure and important SEND provision as an either/or option is a form of moral blackmail that serves no-one’s interest.

    “A Demos-PWC assessment reported in September 2025 that growth in 50 cities and towns in the UK showed Walsall to be the area of least growth in the last year, with a decline from 2024. The council must think again and do what is best for the people of Walsall and to attract more visitors.

    “The leather museum holds a pride of place in Walsall’s heritage”, Miss Vaz said.

    Councillor Mike Bird said: “Unfortunately, previous cabinets have shied away from difficult decisions at time and this is one of those difficult decisions, but at the end of the day, we’ve got a gap of £20 million to find to balance the budget, which is required by law.

    “£190,000 is a lot of money and if we can provide it somewhere else in the town centre, we think we can actually improve the footfall and could, in actual fact, increase the heritage that Walsall has got to offer.

    “I think any claims about people not being consulted properly are complete rubbish.”

    Placard-waving protesters gathered outside the Council House in Lichfield Street in a show of defiance against the action. It was the latest protest against the relocation of the museum.

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