Calls for more Black Country pride amid fears the region 'undersells' itself
Calls have been made for proud ‘Made in the Black Country’ stamps to be displayed on goods manufactured in the area.
Members of Walsall Council’s economy and environment overview and scrutiny committee said the region ‘undersells’ itself when it should be shouting loud about its industries and heritage.
Councillors were discussing the Black County UNESCO Global Geopark and how the project can help promote tourism in the area.
A report to members said the Geopark features a number of sites including disused mines, quarries, canals, nature reserves, museums and historic buildings.
Inspectors who revalidated the area’s Geopark status last year praised the Black Country but added it needed to develop a tourism strategy and promote local products better.
Councillors agreed and said they should also celebrate businesses in the Black Country, particularly those linked with traditional trades such as leather, which are still going strong.
Councillor Adam Hicken said: “Would it be possible to design something like the ‘Made In Britain’ logos but ‘Made in the Black Country’ perhaps?
“We have got an awful lot of manufacturers making products still in the Black Country and there is a lot of pride what goes into what we do here.”
His comments were supported by both Walsall Council leader Mike Bird and Labour group leader Matt Ward.
Councillor Bird said: “I think we undersell ourselves in the Black Country in many ways.
“The Black Country is a very wide and diverse place but we ought to look at what we can do to put that together in a heritage booklet. We need to have some kind of strategy on how we can put that together.”
He said he would look at funding opportunities through the West Midlands Combined Authority to support the strategy.
Councillor Ward added: “We need to be shouting about the things we are really good at.
“We forget we’ve got some really good industries in this town still going strong and we don’t shout about them enough or promote them enough. We should be proud of these.”
The committee resolved to request work be carried out to look at branding for products and services which come from the Black Country.
