Walsall Council is restoring the popular Three Men in a Boat clock as part of ongoing Town Centre revamp
The Three Men in a Boat automaton and clock was once a popular fixture in the Saddlers Shopping Centre and a proud part of Walsall’s shopping experience.
Standing proudly in the atrium area downstairs in the shopping centre, the automaton was installed to commemorate Jerome K Jerome, author of Three Men in a Boat, and was unveiled to great fanfare in c.1990, with the three characters rowing the boat on the hour.
Sadly due to repeated mechanical issues, it was put into storage.
Residents have called for its return, with a petition in 2017 gaining 100 signatures and Walsall Council, with the help of the Saddlers Shopping Centre Management Team, is now in the process of having the automaton restored and refurbished as part of the significant Town Centre regeneration works that are underway.
“ It’s great that we’ve been able to secure funding through our town centre regeneration to restore the Three Men in a Boat clock. It was a prominent and popular feature in the Saddlers Centre and local people have lots of fond memories of seeing it in action.
While regenerating our town centre is necessary to create opportunities and boost the local economy, it’s important that we keep an eye on our proud heritage and restoring features like this is a really nice way to honour our history whilst moving forward. “
