The new owners of the Crooked House, in Himley, Staffordshire, face questioning from police after the pub was demolished on Monday.
The Crooked House before its closure. Photograph: Peter Broster/Creative Commons
After the fire, which started on Saturday evening, the shell of the famous ‘wonky pub’ remained. However, on Monday the remains were bulldozed.
Roger Lees, leader of South Staffordshire Council, told The Times that following the fire the council had agreed to the removal of three elements of the first floor front elevation only, to avoid the weakest parts of the structure falling.
“At no point did the council agree the demolition of the whole structure, nor was this deemed necessary. This council finds the manner in which the situation was managed following the fire completely unacceptable and contrary to instructions provided by our officers.”
Now an online petition has been started to have the landmark restored. That would not be without precedent. The owners of the Carlton Tavern, in West London, were forced to rebuild it brick by brick after it was ruled it had been destroyed illegally.
The last manager of the pub, before its closure last month, had been assured by the then owner, Marston’s, that it would not be sold. And yet, last week, sold it was, to ATE Farms Ltd, run by 34-year-old Carly Taylor.
