The newly constituted Reform cabinet at Walsall Council has moved to reverse a previous administration's decision to relocate the Leather Museum, approving a plan to keep the attraction at its current site and to negotiate the surrender of a lease with Walsall College.
What the cabinet decided
At a meeting this week the cabinet formally agreed to scrap the relocation and to open talks with Walsall College over the lease on the town centre building at 1-3 The Bridge. The earlier proposal to move the museum had been approved by the former Conservative cabinet last September.
Campaigners and local councillors have welcomed the immediate reversal, but have said there remain unanswered questions about how the original decision was made and the financial commitments involved.
Costs and timings under scrutiny
Published council papers show the total cost of the relocation scheme was estimated at around £10 million, while the annual running costs of maintaining the museum at its existing site were put at £288,000.
| Item | Figure |
|---|---|
| Estimated relocation cost | £10 million (approx.) |
| Running costs at current site (annual) | £288,000 |
Concerns have been raised about the timing of contractual arrangements. The lease between the council and Walsall College — reported as a 125‑year lease — was signed just two days before the all-out local elections, a fact campaigners say exposed the authority to avoidable risk.
Campaigners demand answers
Linda Boys, a local resident who has been prominent in challenging the relocation, said the council had failed to protect itself against a change of administration.
"I have seen the contract. As far as I can determine, the contract contains no clause dealing with a potential change of administration and the associated risk of a change in position or policy,"
She told InfoRadar she found the omission surprising given the involvement of senior legal and financial officers in the process and warned the council had put itself in a "serious position". She added that her focus was on whether the original decision-making had been lawful, properly authorised and adequately risk‑managed.
Local impact and next steps
For residents the immediate consequence is that the Leather Museum will remain at its present location rather than moving into the town centre. For the council, the priority will be to conclude negotiations with Walsall College and to assess any financial liabilities associated with reversing the relocation.
Key outstanding issues include:
- Whether the council can agree surrender terms with Walsall College without incurring significant costs;
- What legal or contractual protections — if any — were omitted from the original lease; and
- What lessons the council will draw about governance and risk management in future property deals.
The cabinet report referenced by campaigners was prepared by an officer named Mr Brown; its recommendations to halt the move were accepted by the new administration. Campaigners say they will press for further transparency, including answers about the negotiation process that led to the September decision and the role of senior officers.
As the council enters discussions about surrendering the lease, residents and museum supporters will be watching closely for clarity on financial exposure and assurances that the museum's future is secure without further disruption.
