'I've seen the reports - but Walsall has a lot coming': Walsall Council leader responds as Walsall labelled 'most deprived' area in the UK

Based on 12 categories, the new figures, released by the Demos-PwC Good Growth for Cities Index 2025, said that the town has struggled more than anywhere else for growth in the past year.

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The figures also revealed that the town has the second least healthy high street and the third worst job market in the country.

However, when approached with the figures, Councillor Mike Bird said that the figures aren't representative of Walsall, and that big things are coming for the town.

Councillor Bird said: "I've seen the reports, I don't think it's right. I do think our town is suffering from a lack of footfall, but we are making the town as attractive as possible so people can see that the shopping experience here has improved."

Councillor Bird said that plans are in place to develop the town centre, including the old Debenhams building, the Saddlers Shopping Centre, and a new gym and paddleball court for the town.

He said that through these plans, 'he likes to think' that the town centre visitor economy will be improved, adding that Walsall 'needs an attraction'.

He said: "I'd like to think that the improved Saddlers Shopping Centre will help to bring new people and new visitors to the town.  Solihull has the Apple shop and the John Lewis, we need to have an attraction for this town.

Councillor Bird also talked about plans for the relocation of the Walsall Leather Museum, which he says is 'in the wrong location' to help with footfall into the town. 

He said: "We have plans for the Leather Museum, it is absolutely in the wrong location, the location just isn't right. We have a building confirmed that is only a short walk away from the bus station, and it's in a central location in the town.

"If we brought it more into the town, in the location that we have identified, it could become a true Walsall heritage centre, it could become a morning out that celebrates our heritage of leather."