Forty-Seven Industry Experts Voice 'Alarm' Over Walsall Leather Museum Relocation Plans
Forty-seven leather and fashion industry professionals, heritage experts, and individuals from academic institutions have jointly signed two letters calling for an immediate halt to the controversial Leather Museum plans in Walsall. The letters reflect a significant and growing opposition to the proposed relocation of this cultural institution.
High-Profile Signatories Express Grave Concerns
One letter is addressed to all councillors at Walsall Council, while the other is directed to Lesley Venables, head of governance at Walsall College. The signatories include senior lecturers and heads of departments from Birmingham City University and London College of Fashion, alongside representatives from numerous leather companies such as Beorma Leather Company, Bliss Of London, Bentleys London, and Luxe Rebel Leather Co.
Notably, the letters are also signed by prominent historians including Professor Carl Chinn MBE and Michael Glasson, the Heritage Crafts Association, and even television personality Suzie Fletcher from BBC's The Repair Shop. This diverse coalition underscores the widespread concern across multiple sectors.
Council's Controversial Plans and Lack of Transparency
Walsall Council announced in September 2025 its intention to move the museum from its current building on Littleton Street West to an undisclosed town centre location. The council plans to rent the existing building to Walsall College for a lease of 125 years at a peppercorn rent. Nearly eight weeks ago, Council Leader Mike Bird promised that further information about the museum's new home would be announced 'within six weeks,' yet the council has since refused to provide any updates, stating only that it will 'issue a statement in due course.'
Serious Allegations in the Industry Letter
In the letter addressed to councillors, the signatories express deep alarm: "Recent media coverage, public statements from serving councillors, investigative journalism and campaign developments have raised serious questions concerning democratic process, scrutiny procedures and potential policy breaches." They urge councillors to pause and fully consider the gravity of the situation, acting in accordance with the wishes of those they are elected to represent.
The letter continues: "As the situation has developed, our alarm has been further heightened by reports of inadequate consultation, unpublished feasibility documentation, contentious transactions, potential policy breaches and allegations of unlawful governance. A decision of this magnitude — with irreversible cultural consequences — must not be made in haste or without full and proper scrutiny."
Concerns About College's Involvement and Public Funding
The letter directed to Ms. Venables acknowledges the college's complex financial and strategic pressures but raises significant concerns: "However, the proposed acquisition and renovation of the museum building — reportedly involving £2.4 million of public funding — carries significant implications. Governors will be acutely aware of their duties under charity and education law to ensure that decisions demonstrably serve the public benefit, protect institutional reputation and are supported by robust due diligence."
The signatories call for three specific actions:
- The council must publish detailed and transparent plans for the project
- The college must confirm how the proposal advances its charitable objectives and public benefit obligations
- Both organisations must halt any progress on the scheme until these concerns are addressed
Campaigner Highlights Strength of Opposition
Lead campaigner Lauren Broxton emphasized the significance of these letters: "The letters reflect the depth of feeling and strength of opposition to the potential loss of the museum in its current form. They form part of on-going correspondence between industry and council, whilst also appealing to college governors to consider the seriousness of the situation we find ourselves in."
Official Responses and College's Position
Walsall Council has not provided any comment regarding the letters. However, a spokesperson for Walsall College offered a detailed response: "As part of its internal decision-making process, the college's corporation and management team has undertaken the appropriate due diligence, including an analysis of the benefits of relocating the college's SEND provision to the Broadway building for the benefit of students and the wider community."
The college spokesperson continued: "This project will significantly enhance the quality and breadth of the College's facilities for some of our most vulnerable learners. These proposals have been carefully evaluated, and we believe that the move will be beneficial for our students and for the town of Walsall. They are also a good fit with the government's intentions on the reform of the SEND system."
The college highlighted its track record: "The college's approach to date has delivered first class learning services for SEND students for a number of years, including being graded as Outstanding by Ofsted in three consecutive inspections. We remain fully committed to maintaining and enhancing further this high-quality provision as part of the college's corporate plan and its contribution to the success of the town and the borough."
Importantly, the college clarified: "We would like to clarify that the decision to relocate the museum was made by Walsall Council following a feasibility study commissioned by the council and not by the College." This statement places the ultimate responsibility for the museum relocation decision squarely with the council.
The situation remains unresolved as industry experts, heritage advocates, and concerned citizens await meaningful responses from both Walsall Council and Walsall College regarding these serious allegations about democratic process, transparency, and the future of an important cultural institution.
