College remains silent over Walsall Leather Museum lease

Monday, 12 October 2026 15:07

The Leather Museum’s future remains uncertain as Walsall College has remained silent over its lease of the building.

Under the legal agreement with Walsall Council, the college has the power to take possession of the Littleton Street West buildings.

In July, the Reform cabinet voted to negotiate the surrender of the 125-year lease with Walsall College.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service asked the college whether it plans to work with the council and surrender the lease, or reject the negotiations.

The college’s response was that it had ‘no further information to provide’ on the matter.

The agreement was signed on May 5, just two days before the local elections where Reform swept to power with a huge majority, putting an end to the Tory rule at Walsall Council.

Ahead of the all-out elections, all political groups standing, except for Conservatives and Labour, said they opposed the relocation plans.

Reform UK, which was predicted to do well with voters, said ‘it would do everything within its power to re-establish the Leather Museum at its current location’.

Lead campaigner Linda Boys previously accused the council of exposing itself to ‘avoidable legal, financial and reputation risk’ by not including any clauses to safeguard against the ‘foreseeable change in administration’.

By Rachel Alexander | Local Democracy Reporting Service