Plan for leather-clad hotel

Plan for leather-clad hotel

The hotel would be a central point of the Walsall Waterfront

A hotel with a leather-covered exterior could be built in the Black Country.

The unusual building is one of a number of ideas submitted by the winners of a competition to redevelop the Walsall Waterfront site.

The town has a long history of leather production - reflected in the nickname of its football club The Saddlers.

Walsall Waterfront is to undergo extensive redevelopment, with the aim of transforming the Black Country canal basin into a bustling leisure complex.

The hotel would be a neighbour of the award-winning New Art Gallery, which is part of Birmingham and the West Midlands's 2008 European Capital of Culture bid.

The winning entry, submitted by Alsop Architects, was one more than 100 bids put in for the contract.

The 17-acre site will be completely transformed

Ben Reid, chairman of Walsall Waterfront steering group and a competition judge, said: "The quality and standard of the entries to the competition was exceptional.

"It was a very tough decision, however, we believe Alsop Architects will produce an innovative and exciting framework for Walsall Waterfront."

Will Alsop, of Alsop Architects, said he hopes his company will help transform the town's appearance.

"Alsop Architects is delighted to have been appointed as strategic framework planners for the Walsall Waterfront site

"We have some exciting ideas for the site and we will work to devise a framework plan that will help meet aspirations and create a truly exciting location in Walsall."

Lisa Ashurst, a spokeswoman for Urban Splash, the developers of the 17-acre site, told BBC News Online: "Alsop is one of the country's leading architects.

I just don't think it is a goer. It just would not wear well

Ron Hawkins
The Leather Museum

"They are working in Walsall and that's something for the town to be proud of."

Stirling Prize-winning architect Will Alsop, also designed the £40m c/PLEX arts centre in nearby West Bromwich.

But Ron Hawkins, who works at the Leather Museum and has nearly 60 years' experience in the trade, is not a fan of the hotel plan.

He said: "I just don't think it is a goer. It just would not wear well.

"I think it would be like the Forth Bridge - you would constantly be having to renew the leather again and again.

"It would be never-ending and very expensive."