Walsall Council has announced that Walsall Leather Museum will close next year (2026), despite a stay of execution earlier this year. The Council met on Wednesday, September 24, to approve plans for purchasing a new town centre building for the museum and to sell off the existing museum building, it self a former leather works in Littleton Street West, to the nearby Walsall College.
In February a petition against any sale, closure, or relocation of the Museum attracted 6,491 signatures and hundreds of people attended a demonstration and march at the time to oppose the closure. The Council cabinet announced on February 12 that Walsall Leather Museum would remain open in its current location to allow them to meet with stakeholders, deferring any decision until 2026. However, this new decision means that the museum will close without any new premsies being identified and without a long term plan for the contents of the museum.
Further details here: ttps://www.expressandstar.com/entertainment/attractions/2025/09/25/youre-destroying-the-cultural-heritage-of-walsall-by-moving-the-leather-museum-says-mp/
Industrial Heritage Networks 
North Staffordshire Heritage was sorry to learn that Walsall’s Leather Museum is closing and that its unique collection faces an uncertain future. The museum is a fascinating place that tells the story of the town’s leather industry. If it had been marketed efficiently and effectively, the museum would have become a major international tourist attraction. It would have brought visitors to the town who would have spent thousands of pounds in local restaurants, shops and markets. Like many other towns, Walsall has failed to realise that a town which destroys its heritage is a town without a future.
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Appalling decision! I’d love to see a transcript of the council meeting to understand their decision.
The museum is a gem; wonderful, original displays set in an original leather trade factory building highlighting the premier position of Walsall in the history of leather working throughout the world.
Do the council have any pride in the history of their town?
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