MP calling on historic trusts to help save Walsall Leather Museum site as petition hits 2,000 names

Valerie Vaz MP has called on public bodies the National Trust, Historic England and Arts Council England to intervene in moves to sell the Littleton Street West visitor attraction which is based at a former leatherworks, to Walsall College situated next door. 

The college plans to move its courses for students with special needs to the current museum building.

Walsall Council wants to dispose of the site in favour of finding new premises for it in the town centre which has led to protests backed by Miss Vaz against the plan.

The MP's call comes as a new online  petition set up to retain the location surpassed 2,000 signatures within days of being launched. 

Miss Vaz said: “Walsall Council Cabinet decided on September 24 to sell Walsall Leather Museum to Walsall College. Despite it being ‘called-in’, the council confirmed their decision on October 14 against the wishes of constituents.

 “I have written to the National Trust, Historic England, and Arts Council England, urging them to intervene and save Walsall Leather Museum.”

She added: “The National Trust has worked with local campaigners in Birmingham to keep Moseley Road Baths open and secure a National Lottery Heritage Fund enterprise grant for The Roundhouse. They have also recently taken over the running of museums in Shropshire’s Ironbridge Gorge. I have asked for a meeting with the Director-General on the possibility of the National Trust taking over the running or acquiring the Leather Museum.

 “Many have pointed out that the building itself is the Leather Museum, as it is housed in a red-brick former leather goods factory that was built in 1895. I wrote to Historic England, requesting that they consider listing the building as at least a Grade 2 building of special interest.

“Arts Council England has designated the Leather Museum as an ‘Accredited Museum’. In my letter to the chief executive of Arts Council England I asked what conversations have been had with Walsall Council, whether any alternative options were presented to Arts Council England, and whether they have made any independent assessment of the viability of the Leather Museum.

 “Throughout this campaign people have contacted me with their accounts of how the Leather Museum inspired their careers and creativity. We need to preserve this historic cultural landmark as a source of inspiration for future generations.”

Conservative controlled Walsall Council has insisted that the heritage museum is not being shut down.

The town hall stated: “ We are committed to relocating it to a central location within the town and we are liaising with many stakeholders about how the museum can become more viable in the long term.

“There is a need to increase footfall and improve its offer, so it provides value for money and better represents the history and heritage of our borough.

“We are actively engaged in finding a new home for the Leather Museum. This is currently a commercially sensitive matter, and we will provide updates when we are able to. We are keen to engage with anyone who has ideas on how we can fulfil the ambitions that we have for the museum.

“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 students at Walsall College.

“A new building is not planned for the site.”

To view the online  petition visit .change.org/p/stop-the-closure-of-walsall-leather-museum