Councillor Warns of Heritage Risk in Walsall Leather Museum Relocation
A Walsall councillor has raised serious concerns about the potential risks to the town's leather heritage as plans progress to relocate the Leather Museum collection without conducting a Heritage Impact Assessment.
'Reckless' Decision Without Proper Assessment
Councillor Sarah-Jane Cooper, ward member for Streetly and a former 16-year employee of the museum, has described the council's decision to proceed without a HIA as 'reckless' and potentially damaging to the collection's future.
"The Leather Museum belongs to everyone in Walsall," Councillor Cooper emphasised. "It's what Walsall is famous for globally. If something were to happen to any part of the collection during transfer, we could lose our accredited status and that could mean losing funding."
She warned that without the protective assessment, issues during the museum's transfer to an unconfirmed town centre location could:
- Invalidate insurance coverage for the collection
- Risk the museum's accredited status
- Potentially lead to funding withdrawal
- Ultimately force museum closure
Democratic Process Concerns
The Conservative councillor has also criticised the decision-making process, noting that the relocation was approved by a cabinet of just nine councillors rather than being brought before all 60 members of the authority.
"That decision should have been brought to full council for all 60 of us to decide," she stated. "Because it affects every ward, not just a few people on the cabinet."
Councillor Cooper submitted a notice of motion requesting a Heritage Impact Assessment be conducted, but this was rejected on constitutional grounds. She now fears potential suspension from the Conservative Party for speaking out against her administration, though she maintains "heritage is bigger than the Conservatives."
Building Heritage Dispute
The controversy extends to the museum building itself, with Council Leader Mike Bird recently stating on BBC WM that the Littleton Street West building - a former Victorian-era leather factory - has 'no heritage at all.'
Councillor Cooper strongly contested this view: "For Councillor Bird to say the building has no heritage is an insult to all the saddlers, bridle-makers, tanners, curriers, and leather craftsmen who gave our town its global reputation. The building is more than a backdrop - it's an exhibit in its own right."
She warned that visitor figures would likely decline following relocation and noted this represents "the only remaining museum in Walsall."
Council's Position on Collections Management
Walsall Council maintains a different perspective on the appropriate procedures for museum collections. A council spokesperson explained: "A Heritage Impact Assessment is a tool used to assess the impact of proposed physical changes to historic buildings, heritage sites or their settings. HIAs are not designed for, nor typically applied to, the planned movement of museum collections."
The council emphasised that instead, established collections care and conservation procedures would govern the relocation, with the authority working with Arts Council England to ensure alignment with accreditation expectations and sector best practice.
"The council is committed to ensuring that, when the Leather Museum collection is relocated, it will be managed, handled and transported in accordance with recognised museum sector standards," the spokesperson added.
They also clarified that the museum does not currently receive core funding from either the accreditation panel or Arts Council England, though the council's focus remains on "ensuring the ongoing protection of the Leather Museum collection and securing its long term sustainability for residents and visitors."
Urgent Call for Reconsideration
Councillor Cooper has issued a final warning about the potential consequences of proceeding without proper heritage protection measures: "We should pause now before it's too late. Once heritage is displaced - it rarely returns."
The collection includes historically significant items such as leather goods associated with royalty, vintage handbags, and a saddle dating back to approximately the 1500s - all representing Walsall's centuries-old leatherworking tradition that established the town's international reputation.
