The Crooked House pub, much-loved in the local community, was gutted in an arson attack before being bulldozed two days later in August 2023, the site has been left to rot
The location of Britain’s wonkiest pub has been ‘left to rot’ and transformed into a ‘decaying dumping ground’ two years after being destroyed in a devastating blaze. The Crooked House, situated in Himley, near Dudley, West Mids., was targeted in a suspected arson attack before being bulldozed two days later in August 2023.
South Staffordshire Council last year ordered the boozer’s current owners to rebuild the famously tilting tavern following its unlawful demolition. However, campaigners say the former site of the historic building has become a magnet for fly-tipping, antisocial behaviour and fallen into “absolute ruin”.
Disturbing photographs reveal how enormous piles of fridges, mattresses, bin liners, children’s toys and tyres have been abandoned along the lane leading to the location.
Landslips have also brought down fences and drugs paraphernalia can be spotted scattered across the area.
Locals have condemned the “scandalous lack of action” 24 months on from the fire which destroyed “a national treasure” and raged: “Nothing has been done”.
Pub regular Martin Eley, 49, of Himley, said: “To see the site now is heartbreaking, it is just in a state of ruin and nobody has done anything about it.
“The place was once home to one of the UK’s most unique pubs – now it is a decaying dumping ground. It is scandalous that is has been allowed to happen. Nothing has been done and something needs to change as it will only get worse.
“The longer this goes on like this, the less chance there is of it ever being rebuilt.”
Local resident Paul Baker, 61, who has been frequenting the pub since he was 15, expressed his sorrow: “I’ve lived in the area all my life and I came here with my parents.”
He added: “And then later in life we’d have a great time. So many memories, it’s been part of my life. I cannot believe its gone, I’m devastated.
“Its a shame something so nice has just disappeared from the land. It’s something that you thought you would never see. This should have been here forever, it was a national treasure.
“There will never be another one like it, even if they rebuild it, it wouldn’t be the same, but I hope they do.”
The Facebook group ‘Save the Crooked House’ boasts over 37.5k members and the plight of this and other heritage pubs has been raised in Parliament multiple times.
Paul Turner, from the ‘Save the Crooked House’ group, highlighted the impact of the adjacent landfill site on the path leading up to the pub. He stated: “The aim has always been and continues to be to get the Crooked House re-built brick by brick but at the moment, two years on, we are worried about the safety of the area immediately in front of it.
“The adjacent road has seen land slipped, Hobeache Brook has run under the road, making it unstable and unsafe.
“We want answers as to who will pick up the responsibility for the site before anything can be done about re-building the pub.”
The Crooked House pub was devastated by a fire and subsequently demolished by a bulldozer two years ago this week. The site’s future is now uncertain after the company associated with it went bankrupt, owing more than £1.2 million.
Himley Environmental, managed by Adam Taylor who is the sole director of the firm that purchased the Crooked House, operated a landfill site on the premises. At the time of the fire, the landfill was reportedly linked to an ongoing dispute with brewery executives over access to the site.
Following court proceedings over environmental violations, the company entered voluntary liquidation. During a debate on government support for the Hospitality Sector in Parliament on July 1, Kingswinford and South Staffordshire MP Mike Wood voiced his concerns.
He stated: “Himley Environmental, who owned and managed the landfill site, are now in liquidation, so the picture is far from clear.”
He also highlighted issues with access due to rampant fly-tipping: “The lane is a public right of way but access is now difficult due to the massive amount of fly tipping.”
Despite some positive developments, he expressed concern about other problems: “It is encouraging to see a secure gate has been put up to try and prevent further incidents but I am very worried about the brook issue which is making the path dangerous, and also the offensive smell in the area.”
He concluded by emphasising the ongoing efforts to rebuild the Crooked House and apply pressure on authorities regarding the slow legal process: “Two years on we continue to fight for the Crooked House to be re-built and are trying to put pressure on the authorities over the legal process, which seems to be dragging along but in the meantime it is important that the site remains fit for purpose when it potentially is re-built.
“I am writing to the Environment Agency and the county council to express my concerns and hopefully will have a site visit and meeting with them in the near future.” In May, campaigners penned a letter to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) urging them to decide whether those under investigation for the fire will face charges.
A spokesperson for the CPS stated they hadn’t received a file from the police. However, a representative for Staffordshire Police clarified: “The six people that were arrested have been released from bail and are now released under investigation. Our investigation is ongoing and a file has been submitted to the CPS.”
South Staffordshire Council issued a statement saying it “remained committed” to resolving the issue.
For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletters.
