Closing date for Walsall Leather Museum revealed as council announces new 'high street location' following months of controversy
The new location for the iconic Walsall Leather Museum has finally been announced following weeks of speculation.
Walsall Council have announced the new location of the town centre's Leather Museum following a period of speculation over the future of the heritage site.
The council was pushed into controversy when they approved plans for the move of the Leather Museum in September 2025, relocating it from its current Littleton Street West location and moving it elsewhere.
Get the latest headlines delivered straight to your inbox with the Express & Star’s free newsletter
The announcement was met with heavy backlash from campaigners, and misinformation online that the museum would be 'closing permanently'.
Now, the council have announced that they have finalised the purchase of the new venue for the Leather Museum, which will now be moved to 1 - 3 The Bridge, located between High Street and the Walsall Leather Museum Skills Centre.
Originally built as a draper's store, the council described the new building as 'featuring a prominent corner frontage', and 'presents an opportunity' to establish a 'prominent town centre landmark'.
Announcing the location, Councillor Gary Flint, Walsall Council portfolio holder for culture, health and wellbeing at Walsall Council, said: "Purchasing this building shows our commitment to Walsall Leather Museum and to showcasing Walsall’s proud leather-making heritage.
"The museum is not closing permanently, and we want to ensure it remains an important part of the borough’s cultural offer for future generations."
Councillor Flint noted campaigners' concerns over the relocation; however, he reassured that the museum will 'continue to play an important role' in the future of the borough.
He added: "We know some residents may have concerns about the relocation, but we want to reassure them that their museum will continue to play an important role in Walsall’s future.
"We are keen to hear from anyone with ideas to help shape the next chapter for the museum. Further community engagement will take place this summer, building on consultation already carried out and involving both local communities and the leather industry, to help co-design the future museum."
Campaigners have been a common sight in the council's planning committee meetings since the announcement was made in 2025, with many raising concerns over the transparency of the council's plans and calling for the venue to remain in its current historic building.
Lead campaigner, Ms Laura Boxton, said: "At the centre of this issue stands a building, some argue that it's just that, a 'building'.
"However, to the people of Walsall, this building is far more. It's recognised as a flagship museum in a 19th-century former leather factory, and is part of the very heritage that our town is nationally and internationally known for."
Responding to the criticism, Councillor Bird said that the current Littleton Street location 'just isn't right', and that the new location will offer improved footfall, and the opportunity to make 'a true heritage centre' for the town.
The final day of opening for the current site of the leather museum will be Saturday, April 11, with all Easter activities expected to go ahead as scheduled.
During the transition period to the new location, the museum's collection will be stored in a safe location, which includes the specialist library of around 600 books, trade catalogues and documents.
The council assured that there would be 'no mandatory redundancies' following the temporary closure, adding that all current staff members will be redeployed during the closure period.
