Rally to save Leather Museum

On 28 March 2026 over 100 protesters marched from the Sister Dora statue to the Leather Museum to protest about the relocation of the Museum announced by the Council on 11 March and the use of the Building by Walsall College.

Lauren Broxton, leather designer and fashion lecturer at Birmingham City University opened the speeches. I spoke about my meetings with government ministers and the referral to Ministers of the contentious transaction if Walsall College went ahead with this “deal” with the Council. My referral on 11 November 2025 to Historic England (HE) resulted in I am delighted to say that the response from HE folllowing an independent assessment listed the building as Grade II. This does not affect the use, but it is a step to preserve the building.

I also had meetings with Ministers, Georgia Gould at DfE regarding Walsall College and the local government Minister, Alison McGovern about the decision made by Walsall Council against the wishes of the local community.