Walsall Leather Skills Centre triples training space as a major investment in the future of leatherworking skills
We are in the process of creating nine additional dedicated areas, to increase training capacity and provide specialist workshop facilities to support the future development of leatherworking skills.
The Centre has signed a 14-year lease on two additional floors adjoining its existing premises in the heart of Walsall, marking a significant long-term commitment to the town and its internationally recognised leatherworking heritage.
The expansion will give existing workshops and the Centre’s growing collection of specialist equipment dedicated space. It will also allow courses, workshops and events to run concurrently, with capacity to further expand WLSC’s training provision in the future.
Refurbishment works are well advanced, supported by Walsall Business Support and investment from the landlord, The QMSF Trust, helping bring a space that has been empty for 13 years back into productive use.
More than £150,000 of spending is being placed with small local contractors and suppliers, keeping a significant proportion of the investment within the Walsall economy.
Patrick Burns, Director of Walsall Leather Skills Centre, said: “We have always believed Walsall should be the place where people come to learn exceptional leatherworking skills. This investment gives us the opportunity to build on what has already been achieved and create something with real longevity. Our ambition continues to bring people together – students, tutors, established craftspeople and those at the beginning of their journey – giving them opportunities to learn, make, develop and share skills.”
Expanding opportunities for leatherworkers
The additional facilities will support WLSC’s existing training in saddlery, bridle and harness making, shoemaking and wider leathercraft, alongside opportunities to develop its programme further.
New facilities include flexible workshop space for large harness work, dedicated rooms for specialist machining courses, shoemaking, bag making and leathergoods courses.
Formalising the provision of six dedicated workbenches, which will be available for short and long-term rental, gives leatherworkers access to professional workspace, specialist equipment, support and mentorship as their skills, products and businesses develop.
New meeting and conference facilities will be dual purpose to enable filming and streaming of training.
The expansion provides a dedicated home for Mental Fortitude to increase the frequency of its workshops and gatherings for serving and former Armed Forces personnel and blue light workers.
As a Community Interest Company any surplus is directed into the Centre’s work and development, with this current expansion being supported by an interest-free director’s loan.
Investment in premises, workshops and specialist equipment enables students to access facilities which would require considerable personal investment to replicate independently. Bursary support is also available, with many students receiving funding from a number of organisations whose interests are aligned with the Centre’s mission.
Keith Bryan, Director and Saddle Tutor, said: “Walsall has an extraordinary heritage of leatherworking and saddlery skills, but heritage only has a future when people have somewhere to learn those skills, practise them and pass them on. Students already travel here from across the UK and overseas. The expansion gives us the opportunity to strengthen that connection between Walsall’s skills heritage and the next generation of leatherworkers.”
Further areas of the expanded Centre are due to come into use during October and November 2026.
