Facelift moving apace to convert historic Walsall Guildhall into creative arts attraction
Facelift work is making progress to convert the historic Walsall Guildhall into a multi-million pound creative arts attraction.
The borough is in the middle of a £1 billion transformation programme to create new homes, jobs and opportunities for residents, including efforts to put empty buildings back into economic use.
Among the major works being done is the long-awaited Walsall Guildhall revamp which is due to be completed in the summer following extensive and careful restoration.
The stunning Grade II-listed building in St Matthew's Quarter will be a hub of creativity offering space for artists to build and grow their creative businesses. It will then be managed as a Creative Industries Enterprise Centre by Urban Hax CIC and is already being marketed as 'The Guildhall' to potential users and investors.
The building is among three earmarked for the project with the adjoining neglected former police station which is also Grade II-listed and an old restaurant on Goodall Street being the others that will form the whole site.
The site will have workspaces, studios, meeting rooms, exhibition areas, a café, tap room and craft retail outlets to assist those looking for alternative employment in a bid to reverse a declining trend in business start-up rates and encourage new enterprise and innovation.
Funding for the £5m scheme has come from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport and the Government's Town Deal fund.
Walsall Council's regeneration boss and deputy leader Councillor Adrian Andrew said: “We’re starting 2026 in a really strong position with lots to look forward to across the borough.
"We’re moving forward with transformative schemes that are already underway, and we’re implementing new frameworks and strategies to build on the incredible progress we’ve already made.
“2026 will bring new housing, new railway stations, more jobs and opportunities, and the start of the major transformation of Walsall town centre, and much more. It’s a really exciting time for Walsall.”
Other projects include refurbishment of the Saddlers Centre where the Three Men In a Boat clock is back chiming, construction of a canal footbridge at Town Wharf and the planned relocation of the Walsall College Adult Learning Centre in 2027 to the former M&S store in Park Street where shop demolition work is due to start to create a wider walkway between the Walsall rail and bus stations for the ‘Connected Gateway’ programme.
New employment floorspace will be delivered on various brownfield sites across the borough in 2026 and beyond, including units on the landmark scheme SPARK, by M6 Junction 10.
The new railway stations in Willenhall and Darlaston will open this year. In Willenhall work is also due to start on the development of new homes in the Moat Street area by Keepmoat Homes Ltd following demolition of a swathe of derelict buildings.
Comment Guidelines
Iconic Media encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.