Two years on from a fire gutting one of Britain’s most famous pubs, campaigners to see it rebuilt say they’re more determined than ever.
When The Crooked House near Dudley was burnt down in a suspected arson attack and then illegally demolished, the people of the Black Country felt like it was a blitz on their history.
It was originally built in 1765 and suffered subsidence because of mining in the area, giving its unique appearance that visitors fell in love with.
Speaking to GB News in August 2023, the community showed an outpouring of grief. One man likened the demolition to a death, a lady despaired at never being able to take the next generation to see it, and others were angry, demanding justice.
GB NEWS
|The Crooked House burnt down two years ago and was subsequently demolished
In February last year, South Staffordshire Council served an enforcement order on the owners ATE Farms LTD, ordering them to rebuild the pub within three years.
After appealing the order and a subsequent decision from the High Court, the planning enforcement inquiry will now have to wait until any potential criminal proceedings have concluded. Investigations by the police are ongoing.
For the campaigners who want to see this landmark rebuilt, the passion is only stronger. Paul Turner from Save The Crooked House told GB News what it meant to the community.
He said: “We all felt it was ours, we’re Black Country people and we felt that this was our iconic pub.
GB NEWS
|In February last year, South Staffordshire Council served an enforcement order on the owners ATE Farms LTD, ordering them to rebuild the pub within three years
“It’s very complicated legally but we know what our end goal is. How we actually get to that end goal is going to be a little bit complicated, but that's we're still focusing on.”
For local councillor Ian Sandall, the pub meant so much more than just a place to drink. He says conversations with those in power need to continue to keep the pressure on.
He said: “Part of the problem, and part of the public grief, is the fact that it was ripped away so quickly, so suddenly, without even a thought to our Black Country heritage and our Black Country culture.
“We've got to keep pushing this in the offices of people that can make a difference, and that is exactly what's happening behind the scenes.”
“This is where people come from, miles around and from all over the world to see and all of a sudden, just like that, it's gone.
“We were always very proud of it, and although it had different owners over the years, it was always ours as a community.”
In the years since the fire and demolition, Paul has been one of the leading campaigners to see the pub rebuilt. He says the legal battles have been “frustrating”, but it’s not changed the end goal.
He told GB News: “We’ve got a lot to think about if The Crooked House is ever going to be built, there's lots of legal issues and the site isn't ours, we can't rebuild The Crooked House ourselves.
GB NEWS
|Paul Turner from Save The Crooked House told GB News what it meant to the community.
As part of a partnership with the Campaign for Real Ales, people are being urged to mark the anniversary by raising a glass and toasting The Crooked House across social media.
Whilst there’s still anger in this community at what happened two years ago, campaigners have not lost hope that the wonkiest pub will rise from the rubble.