Walsall is a large town in the West Midlands that forms part of the Black Country. The town of Walsall has an overall population of 170,000 people. Walsall is an easily commutable distance from neighbouring Birmingham, which is only 15 miles away from the town and is also close to Wolverhampton.
Walsall does not have its own University; instead it is home to a campus of the University of Wolverhampton. Students studying in Walsall may study in the following subjects: sport, music, dance, education, health, events management and tourism and hospitality. The sports facilities on offer in Walsall are of World class status. The campus facilities are also one of the few recognised Judo Centres of Excellence within the UK.
Historically, Walsall was a very small village; in the 16th Century it was home to a mere 2000 people. The Industrial Revolution transformed Walsall from a town of small beginnings into a hub of industry. Amongst the main trades were the manufacture of leather goods including saddles, etc, and limestone quarrying. There are two museums in Walsall which provide a comprehensive view of the town's history, the Walsall Museum and Walsall Leather Museum.
Walsall's central location within the UK has increased its popularity in recent years and Walsall has enjoyed significant investment which has enabled the town's economy to grow. Business areas that thrive within Walsall include the financial, manufacturing, service and distribution sectors, to name but a few. There are various business parks within Walsall, which are home to large companies including TK Maxx, who have a distribution depot in Walsall. Walsall NHS Trust and Walsall city council are also large employers within the town.
Walsall maintains excellent transport links with the rest of the UK and is served by three major roads; the M6, A34, A454. Walsall has frequent trains to the surrounding area and wider parts of the UK, including a Birmingham service that runs four times hourly.