Locals have been left distraught at the UK’s wonkiest pub being “left to decay” and transformed into a “rotting rubbish heap” two years after being ravaged by a catastrophic fire. The Crooked House, a West Midlands pub in Himley, was destroyed in what Staffordshire Police treated as a suspected arson attack, two days before the shell was unexpectedly demolished overnight in August 2023.
The move left locals in despair, and South Staffordshire Council demanded last year that the current owners reconstruct the famously leaning establishment within three years. Campaigners said the former site of the historic building has become a magnet for fly-tipping, antisocial behaviour and has fallen into “absolute ruin”. Images revealed enormous heaps of fridges, mattresses, bin liners, children’s toys and tyres discarded along the lane leading to the site.
Locals have condemned the “scandalous lack of action” two years after the blaze that obliterated “a national treasure”, expressing their frustration to SWNS that “nothing” has been done.
Pub regular Martin Eley, 49, from Himley, lamented: “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 this 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.”
Paul Baker, 61, who frequented the establishment since age 15, revealed: “I’ve lived in the area all my life and I came here with my parents. And then later in life we’d have a great time. So many memories, it’s been part of my life.”
He added: “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.”
A Facebook campaign, Save the Crooked House, has amassed over 37.5k supporters. Representative Paul Turner said the pathway approaching the location has suffered due to a land issues.
He explained: “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 site’s future is now uncertain following the collapse of the associated company, Himley Environmental, which has accrued debts exceeding £1.2 million.
During a debate on government support for the hospitality sector on July 1, Kingswinford and South Staffordshire MP Mike Wood addressed the issue in Parliament.
He expressed: “Himley Environmental, who owned and managed the landfill site, are now in liquidation, so the picture is far from clear.”
Wood highlighted the difficulties faced by the public: “The lane is a public right of way but access is now difficult due to the massive amount of fly tipping.”
Despite some measures being taken, he remained apprehensive: “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.”
Wood emphasised the ongoing efforts to restore the Crooked House: “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.”
He added: “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, activists penned a letter to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), urging them to determine whether those under investigation for the fire will face charges.
A representative for the CPS stated they hadn’t received a file from the police.
A spokesperson for Staffordshire Police said: “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 asserting it “remained committed” to resolving the issue.