Crooked House campaigners vow to keep up pressure

The historic pub caught fire in August in a suspected arson attack and was demolished two days later

Campaigners have said they will keep up the pressure until The Crooked House pub is rebuilt, after a council ordered it to be returned to its original state.

"Britain's wonkiest inn" caught fire on 5 August in a suspected arson attack and was demolished two days later.

South Staffordshire Council served an enforcement notice on its owners on Tuesday, requiring them to rebuild the pub.

"We've won the first battle in this war" and "we're here until the end," said Ian Sandall of the Save the Crooked House campaign.

Campaigners acknowledged that rebuilding the pub could take more than three years as the owners could appeal

The council's notice was served to ATE Farms Limited, the company that owns the pub, as well as the company's director George Adam Taylor, and former director Carly Taylor who stepped down in December.

The owners have 30 days to appeal and the notice must be complied with within three years.

The notice has been hailed as a major victory by residents, local MP Marco Longhi and West Midlands Mayor Andy Street, who have all called for the pub, in Himley, near Dudley, to be restored.

"The moment I heard this news, I was like Tigger jumping around," Mr Longhi, the Conservative MP for Dudley North, told BBC Radio WM.

He added that if the pub’s owners filed for bankruptcy, then anyone who bought the site would need to comply with the rebuilding order.

People flocked to the site after the pub was demolished to express their anger

The Crooked House was first built in 1765 as a farmhouse, but one side of the building gradually began to sink due to mining in the area during the early 19th Century.

The pub became a popular attraction, with visitors flocking to see the distinctive leaning building.

Campaigners acknowledged they might not be able to have a pint in the pub within three years, partly because the owners could appeal.

But they said they felt confident the day would come, because the law was now on their side.

"That pub is coming back. Whether it's in three years, four years, five years - that pub is coming back," Mr Sandall told BBC Midlands Today.

'It should not be rushed'

Building specialists have said it is technically possible to recreate the leaning building, but the process would require careful consideration.

Architect Stephen Levrant said The Crooked House was a unique case because of its building, history and location.

"How do you recreate this building in a way that is safe, that is accessible, and that still captures the character of how it was?" he said.

"This is something that should not be rushed."

Architect Stephen Levrant said rebuilding the pub would be a fascinating challenge

But speaking to BBC Radio WM, Mr Levrant added it was possible to recreate The Crooked House as it was.

He said it would be a fascinating and wonderful challenge and praised campaigners for preserving the pub's remains.

"The wonkiness is an essential part of its history," he said.

"The very first task is going to be an archaeological sift through to find out exactly what's there, where the pieces were, what condition they are in and [if] they can be reused."

Staffordshire Police said five men and one woman were arrested in connection with the fire, which the force is treating as arson, and remain on conditional bail.