Council submits plans to repurpose Walsall Leather Museum
Walsall Council has submitted a planning application to convert the Walsall Leather Museum into an assisted learning centre for students with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), according to various media outlets.
The Littleton Street West site has housed the museum since 1988 and forms part of a Victorian factory complex formerly known as the Broadway Training Centre.
Under the proposals, Walsall College would take over the property, citing benefits such as access to outdoor space, teaching kitchens, a drama studio, and nearby transport links to support student independence. The council has confirmed that the works fall within the same planning class as the museum, so only a certificate of lawfulness is required rather than full planning permission.
Leather fashion designer and educator Lauren Broxton has expressed concern over the council’s plans. A petition opposing the closure has gathered more than 3,300 signatures, and the matter has been raised in Parliament by MP Valerie Vaz. It is now under consideration by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, with further discussions expected involving other government departments.
A decision on the planning application is set for February 12.
