Protesters to take a stand against Walsall Leather Museum plans tonight
A protest will be held tonight against the council’s plans to get rid of the Walsall Leather Museum building.
Led by fashion designer Lauren Broxton, protesters will meet at 5.30pm outside the Town Hall on Lichfield Street.
The demonstration is taking place ahead of a meeting of Walsall Council’s cabinet.
Members are set to rubber stamp plans of purchasing a new town centre building for the museum, and the disposal of the existing museum building at Littleton Street West to Walsall College.
The Conservative-led authority’s plans to move the museum into an unknown town centre location was first announced last year in the 2025/26 budget.
It was hoped the move would create an annual saving of £190,000.
Following the backlash, the leader at the time, Garry Perry, removed it from the budget but said that if no changes were made, the museum would have to close by default.
Perry said ‘it was only right’ that any changes to the museum were done in collaboration with those who fought to save it.
Lauren, from Walsall, said several meetings took place where alternative proposals were put forward, and support from educational institutions was offered.
The 35-year-old said the meetings were positive and the council showed interest.
When she saw that the council was set to approve major plans within days, she said without any consultation, it was ‘horrifying’.
Lauren said: “We’ve been liaising with the council and provided countless other proposals and met with countless people who have offered support to make the current museum a success.
“To be met with this was horrifying. We knew nothing of it, we were not told anything of it. It’s a blatant disrespect for the heritage of Walsall and communities the council is meant to serve.”
Michelle Randall, who has also attended meetings for the museum, added: “The council’s engagement seems to have been a pacifier to reduce noise around their plans, rather than them exploring options in the interest of the wider community.”
The pair have urged people to join the protest which is set to take place at 5.30pm this evening outside the Town Hall on Lichfield Street.
Walsall Council has been approached for comment.
