'It's a democratic crisis': Campaigner says leather museum move follows 'decades of poor decision-making'

The lead campaigner behind protests against the relocation of Walsall’s Leather Museum said she “won’t be satisfied” until “the proper democratic process is done”.

Lauren Broxton has led the campaign against the controversial plan to move the museum from its current home, which was recently granted Grade II listed status.

Walsall Council intends for the beloved museum, currently based in Littleton Street West, to close on April 11 pending its reopening at a new “more suitable” site in The Bridge, Walsall.

The council said the new location would be “more suitable” with planners anticipating an increase in footfall, as well as the opportunity to create a “prominent town centre landmark”.

The Littleton Street West building would be used by Walsall College instead.

However, the planned move has been met with strong criticism by the ‘Save our Leather Museum’ campaign group.

Lead campaigner Ms Broxton said: “The thing is we aren’t really sure what this new building is going to be yet.

“Given that the old building was given a Grade II listed status on the same day, we think that that’s really telling.

“I don’t think the increase in footfall at the new location is a bad argument - an increase in footfall helps to drive away more negative influences - but I think it’s just a ploy to get this all pushed through.”

The campaigner said the fact that the leather museum site was once a working leather factory “still remains the same”, and the existing venue is a “representation” of the “ordinary working-class people”.

She said: “We have said from the beginning that this is more than just a building, the building is part of its importance.

“That Grade II listing shows that the building is of national significance to the leather industry.

“The fact that it’s an old working leather factory is integral to the museum. It’s of huge significance for the representation of the ordinary working-class people who worked here.”

Following the announcement of the leather museum's closure, the campaigners have openly criticised a “lack of due process” and a shortfall in consultation.

Ms Broxton said the apparent lack of clarity over the developments represents a “crisis of democracy”, adding that “people have had enough”.

She said: “This has moved from just being a crisis over heritage, it’s now a crisis over democracy.

“This all touches on decades of poor decision-making, undue process and poor democracy, and the people have had enough; it’s lifted a lid on the lack of consultation we receive.

“The absolute fury that has started online and mobilised into action, and as part of this campaign team, we won’t be satisfied until we know that the proper democratic process is done.”