Leather Museum Under Threat

The community in Walsall were outraged to learn that the Council planned to relocate the Leather Museum. This information was in the Council’s Budget for 2025-2029. This decision was approved at a Cabinet meeting on 16 October 2024, apparently in contrast to a Cabinet meeting on 17 July 2024 which approved a plan to ‘continue to support museums, galleries and libraries as important community assets.’. The Budget claimed to potentially save £190,000 over four years.

As a result of this information, a petition was started on 12 November 2024, to ‘Halt the Proposed Sale and Closure of Walsall Leather Museum’. The latest number of signatories stood at 6,491. 

I wrote to Walsall Council on 11 December 2024 to suggest that there is no clear business case for relocating the Leather Museum, no details indicating the reasons behind this proposal and a complete misunderstanding of the heritage of Walsall. I also wrote to the Minister of State for Tourism, urging him to look into this issue.

Anyone planning to visit Walsall would see on Tripadvisor that the Leather Museum is listed as Walsall’s top attraction, receiving a ‘Travellers’ Choice’ award in 2024 – given to attractions that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor. 

Members of the local community, designers, artists and others who work in and appreciate cultural industries gathered at the Sister Dora statue in the town centre on Saturday 8 February 2025 at protest organised by Lauren Broxton. 

The demonstration has been reported on by the Express & Star, Birmingham Live and BBC. 

In response to this widespread opposition, the Leader of the Council announced in a Cabinet meeting on 12 February 2025 that the decision to relocate the Leather Museum will be suspended for 12 months, creating space for new and wider consultation.

I am delighted this decision has been made. We will continue to resist any cuts to culture and heritage sites.