The MP for Walsall and Bloxwich joined hundreds of protesters in Walsall on Saturday 28th March to tell them personally what she is doing to safeguard Walsall`s heritage.

Standing beneath the Sister Dora Statue on The Bridge, microphone in hand, the Rt Hon Valerie Vaz  told Walsall residents how she has spent months campaigning to safeguard Walsall Leather Museum before joining them to march to the Museum for further protests.

The MP for Walsall and Bloxwich told protesters that she has written to three major conservation trusts in a bid to preevent Walsall`s Leather Museum from being relocated.  Valerie Vaz (pictured with campaigners Samuel Davies and Lauren Broxton) has called on public bodies the National Trust, Historic England and Arts Council England to intervene in moves to sell the Littleton Street West visitor attraction which is based at a former leatherworks to Walsall College situated next door.

"Walsall Council cabinet decided to sell Walsall Leather Museum" said Valerie Vaz MP "to Walsall College against the wishes of constituents.  An online  petition to retain the location surpassed 2,000 signatures within days of being launched.  

I have written to the National Trust, Historic England and Arts Council England urging them to intervene and save Walsall Leather Museum.  

The National Trust has worked with local campaigners in Birmingham to keep Moseley Road Baths open and secure a National Lottery Heritage Fund enterprise grant for the Roundhouse.  They have also recently taken over the running of museums in Shropshire`s Ironbridge Gorge.  I have asked the National Director to take over the running or acquiring the Leather Museum.  

The Leather Museum is housed in a red brick former leather goods factory that was built in 1895.  I wrote to Historic England requesting that they consider listing the building as at least a Grade 2 building of special interest.

Arts Council England have designated the Leather Museum as an "Accredited Museum".  Throughout my campaign people have contacted me with their accounts of how the Leather Museum inspuired their careers and creativity.  We need to preserve this historic cultural landmark as a source of inspiration for future generations."

"The Leather Museum protest today was outstanding" said campaigner  Samuel Davies.  After a morning spent making signs we arrived to the sight of 200 people waving placards, singing protest songs and marching through Walsall to the Museum.  We heard inspirational speeches and the support from the public was incredible.    People were clapping, cheering and tooting their horns in support."