The demolition of a landmark pub following a fire was “unacceptable” and “possibly unlawful”, a council has said.
The 18th Century Crooked House, known as “Britain’s wonkiest pub”, was gutted by fire on Saturday and was subsequently razed to the ground on Monday.
The Decimation of an Iconic Pub
Firefighters were called on Saturday 5th August to the Crooked House pub, in Himley near Dudley in the West Midlands, which gained its name after it started sinking into the ground due to mining subsidence in the area.
Following the demolition of the pub, between 200 and 250 people gathered at the site to see for themselves what had happened to the pub, with some collecting bricks to take away with them.
The pub was only recently sold having been a tourist attraction in the area for over 50 years. An update post on the pub’s Facebook page on 27 July said: “The Crooked House has been sold. Unlikely to open its doors again. Marston’s have sold the site to private buyer for alternative use, that is all we know. This is just to update the page, so nobody makes any wasted journeys to the site.”
Sir Gavin Williamson MP who represents the area of the pub’s location said on twitter, “Like many, I am still processing what has happened to the Crooked House. Now the police have stated that they are investigating the incident as arson, we need to see the people who have committed this crime brought to justice. I will do everything in my power to seek answers.”
Following a meeting with South Staffordshire Council, Andy Street Mayor of the West Midlands said, “It is clear from our conversation with South Staffordshire District Council that they remain just as committed to the future of the Crooked House as we do, and we want to thank them for their time and candour.”
“We have been very clear from the moment the Crooked House was demolished without permission that we believe it should be rebuilt brick-by-brick, and we remain laser-focussed on making that happen. Nothing we’ve seen or heard this week has led us to change our mind”.
“The Crooked House will not be consigned to history on our watch”.
Rapidly unfolding developments
According to the Daily Mail, residents have accused the owners of ‘Britain’s wonkiest pub’ of tearing down 20ft tall trees and destroying wildlife as part of plans to develop two former quarries, a twist to the saga.
Adam Taylor and his wife Carly owned the Crooked House in Himley, Staffordshire when the major blaze broke out over the weekend – mere days after the 18th-century inn was sold to them.
The couple have previously caused upset and anger among locals after it emerged that they had bought and allegedly gutted another traditional pub in the Warwickshire village of Willey.
Final thought
These new allegations coming from the Daily Mail, suggest a history of recklessness and havoc from the recently acquired owners of the Crooked House.
This pub was hugely popular locally, hence why there has been quite a stir surrounding this story. There are still many questions that hover over the recent events, and the future trajectory of the Crooked House, as many locals are quite rightfully angered by the destruction of this distinctive and cherished landmark.