Petition to save the Walsall Leather Museum surpasses 3,000 supporters as MP addresses House of Commons
Walsall and Bloxwich MP Valerie Vaz has presented a special petition in the House of Commons against proposals to relocate the borough's Leather Museum.
The MP is backing campaigners' calls for the visitor attraction to be left where it is at the former leather workshop in Littleton Street West. Walsall Council wants to relocate it to an undisclosed site in the town centre to make space for Walsall College courses for special needs students instead.
Addressing the Commons Ms Vaz with a petition made on behalf of residents said: “This is a petition about the Walsall Leather Museum which was built in a nineteenth century leather factory. It is the heart of the town's heritage and the pride of the community.”
“The petition states that Walsall Council plans to relocate the museum and lease the site to Walsall College for a peppercorn rent. This plan has been brought forward without consultation with local people. Alternative sites, including within Walsall College’s estate, are more appropriate for SEND provision than the Museum site and should be considered as alternatives in order to preserve the culture and heritage of the current Museum site."
“These plans amount to removing a cherished community asset against the wishes of the community.”
