A community-led petition fighting to keep the Walsall Leather Museum at its historic home has rapidly gained momentum, amassing over 1,800 signatures and highlighting a significant clash between local heritage and educational needs.
Rapid Public Response
The petition, which garnered an impressive over 1,000 signatures in just five days, is a direct response to Walsall Council's controversial decision to hand over the museum's building on Littleton Street West to Walsall College. This marks the second major public petition on the issue, with a previous one having been signed by more than 6,000 people.
The council's plan involves disposing of the current Victorian factory building to allow the college to relocate its Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) provision from the Hawbush campus. Funding from the government's Community Regeneration Partnership has already been allocated to make the building disability-friendly.
Campaigners Demand Transparency
The petition organisers are calling for an immediate pause on the current plans. They demand a full and transparent public consultation, alongside the publication of detailed timelines, reasoning, and official reports that explain the council's decision-making process.
Lead petitioner Lauren Broxton, a leather fashion designer from Walsall, stated that the campaign is about more than just the museum. She said, "The handling of Walsall Leather Museum... represents a culture and a pattern by those within leadership who do not follow their own processes and neglect the wishes of those they are elected to serve." She urged residents to sign the petition to meet the threshold for it to be heard at a public meeting, emphasising that "Enough is enough. Walsall’s residents and communities deserve better."
Council's Stance on Relocation
In response, a spokesperson for Walsall Council defended the move, stating, "We are not closing Walsall Leather Museum. We are committed to relocating it to a central location within the town." The council argues that the relocation is an opportunity to create a "new and improved" museum with increased footfall and a better representation of the borough's history.
The council plans to store the museum's contents until a suitable town centre location is found. They also stressed that the move is driven by a commitment to local children, stating, "Children are at the heart of everything we do as a council, and this move will provide much needed support for local special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) students."
The future of the Walsall Leather Museum now hangs in the balance, caught between the council's vision for regeneration and the community's fierce determination to protect its cherished heritage.
