Heritage, skills and careers behind Walsall’s saddlery industry shared at town expo

It was a weekend of heritage, history and learning at Walsall Town Hall as businesses, craftspeople and industry experts came together.

The Walsall Expo 2026 was a showcase for the borough’s rich saddlery heritage on Saturday and Sunday as visitors were given an opportunity to discover the people, skills and businesses behind an industry for which Walsall is renowned.

Organised by The Society of Master Saddlers, the free-to-visit event was held under the banner ‘The Home of British Saddlery’, and celebrated Walsall’s longstanding contribution to British saddlery and leather craftsmanship, while highlighting how the industry is evolving and creating opportunities for the next generation.

Visitors were able to discover the wide range of skills involved in British saddlery, from leatherworking, saddle making, pattern cutting and stitching to manufacturing, design, business and sales.

The event also provided an opportunity for schools, colleges, young people, parents and careers advisers to meet businesses, see skilled craftsmanship first-hand and find out more about career routes within the industry.

Les Nolan and Sean Jeffs were at the expo representing Patrick Saddlery, which is based in the Chuckery area of the town, and both spoke about the history of the industry in Walsall.

Sean said: “A lot of the history comes down to the location as, being in the centre of Walsall, we’ve got the Black Country for all the steel work and iron work.

“We’ve also got the canal system because a lot of the saddles were made for the first world war and I think that’s when Walsall began to explode with manufacturing.”

Les said: “A lot of the saddles were made in Birmingham, which a lot of people don’t realise, but all the tanning and all the metalwork was more local to this area.

“In the end, all the saddleries came to this area, so it was all encompassed together and so that’s why I think Walsall is synonymous with the saddle trade.”

Jo Byrne, Chief Executive of The Society of Master Saddlers, said, “Walsall has a special place in the story of British saddlery and, as someone born and brought up in the town, I’m incredibly proud of that connection.

“What makes the industry so exciting is the way businesses are combining traditional skills and craftsmanship with innovative production methods and new technologies.

“Walsall Expo is a chance to showcase that evolving industry and inspire the next generation to be part of its future”