- 23/09/2025
- Posted by: Valerie Vaz MP
- Category: Press Releases
My constituents and I are astonished that the Cabinet of Walsall MBC will agree to a report at their meeting on Wednesday 24 September 2025 to close the Leather Museum destroying the cultural heritage of Walsall.
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 6491 signatures and hundreds of people attended a demonstration and march on 8 February 2025 to oppose the closure. The Cabinet announced on 12 February 2025 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.