BRITAIN’S wonkiest pub has become a dumping ground two years after it was destroyed in a devastating blaze.
The Crooked House, in Himley, West Midlands was targeted in a suspected arson attack before being bulldozed two days later in August 2023.
SWNSThe former site of The Crooked House, in Himley, near Dudley, West Midlands[/caption]
SWNSThe boozer was destroyed in a devastating blaze, angry campaigners allege[/caption]
in 2024, the local council ordered the watering hole’s owners to rebuild the charred building.
However, since its demise, the site has become an epicentre for antisocial behaviour – including fly-tipping.
Discarded kitchen appliances, mattresses and toys have all been dumped along the lane leading to the once popular boozer by locals.
Residents have slammed the lack of action to revive the pub.
Pub regular Martin Eley, 49, said: “To see the site now is heartbreaking, it is just in a state of ruin and nobody has done anything about it.”
“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.”
Paul Baker, 61, was a local at the pub from the age of 15, doubled down: “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. 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.”
Facebook group Save the Crooked House has over 37.5k members and its plight and that of other heritage pubs has being brought up in Parliament a number of times.
The Crooked House pub was ravaged by fire and then destroyed by a bulldozer two years ago this week.
The future of the site has been thrown into doubt after the company linked to the site went bust with debts of more than £1.2 million.
Himley Environmental operated a landfill site, controlled by Adam Taylor, who is sole director of the firm which bought the Crooked House.
At the time of the blaze, the landfill was said to be connected to a ongoing “feud” with brewery bosses over access to the site It was put into voluntary liquidation following court action over environmental breaches.
Kingswinford and South Staffordshire MP Mike Wood spoke in Parliament during the government support for the Hospitality Sector debate on July 1.
He said: “Himley Environmental, who owned and managed the landfill site, are now in liquidation, so the picture is far from clear.
“The lane is a public right of way but access is now difficult due to the massive amount of fly tipping.
“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.
“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 wrote to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) urging them to make a decision on whether those under investigation for the fire will be charged.
A spokesman for the CPS said they hadn’t been given a file by police.
But a spokesman 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.”
A statement from South Staffordshire Council said it “remained committed” to resolving the matter.
SWNSA sign of the former site of The Crooked House in Himley[/caption]
SWNSThe spot has become a dumping ground for locals[/caption]
SWNSKitchen appliances, children’s toys and other items litter the path leading up to the site[/caption] Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
