Campaigners say Crooked House appeal 'insulting'

The Crooked House was destroyed in an arson attack in August 2023

The Campaign for Real Ale (Camra) has said owners of the UK's wonkiest pub need to take accountability and rebuild it after it was destroyed in an arson attack.

An appeal will look into whether owners, ATE Farms Limited, should heed South Staffordshire Council's enforcement notice to rebuild The Crooked House pub within three years.

But Camra called the appeal, set for 11 March, "insulting" and said it delayed a "much-needed" outcome for the iconic pub, in Himley, near Dudley.

The BBC has contacted ATE Farms for comment.

The Crooked House was well-known in the Black Country for its sloping walls and floor, caused by mining subsidence in the area.

The pub was destroyed in a suspected arson attack on 5 August 2023 and was demolished two days later.

Gary Timmins, Camra's pub and club campaigns director, said: "The appeal requested by the owners of the Crooked House, ATE Farms Limited, was expected but no less insulting.

"If this appeal leads to this decision being reversed, it would be a complete mockery of pub protection and campaigning efforts from the local community."

South Staffordshire Council served the enforcement order in February last year.

ATE Farms bought the 18th Century pub from Marstons in July 2023, nine days before the fire.

Mr Timmins said: "The Crooked House saga lifted the lid on the wider scandal of potentially unlawful pub conversions and demolitions across the UK, and we continue to demand tighter, stronger planning policies and a requirement in law to rebuild pubs brick-by-brick."