Calls to mark wonky pub site a community asset

Crooked House campaigner Paul Turner met with Sir Gavin Williamson to discuss ways to protect the site

An MP has called for the ruins of the Crooked House pub to be protected by becoming an Asset of Community Value.

The site in the Himley area of Staffordshire, near Dudley, was nominated for the status by former cabinet minister Sir Gavin Williamson.

"Britain's wonkiest" pub - so titled due to its leaning appearance caused by historical mining - was ravaged by fire last year.

If listed with the local authority as being of community value, those campaigning for the site's preservation will have to be informed when it is put up for sale within the five-year listing period.

Members of the public could then enact the Community Right to Bid and potentially see the site handed over to them for rebuilding efforts.

The Crooked House was completely gutted by fire and then demolished two days later

A campaign to see the pub rebuilt brick by brick has amassed more than 35,000 signatures.

The 18th Century building caught fire on 5 August last year and was demolished two days later.

It was known for its sloping walls and floor caused by mining subsidence in the area.

Hundreds of people flocked to the site earlier this month to mark the six-month anniversary of the fire. A memory wall was set up at the site where fans of the iconic pub shared their stories.

The pub was reduced to a pile of rubble, prompting a campaign to have it rebuilt

Sir Gavin, the Conservative MP for South Staffordshire, said: "By nominating the site as an Asset of Community Value, I'm hoping to provide the opportunity for the re-building to take place.

"What happened here will not be forgotten, and we're doing all we can to bring back an important piece of Staffordshire heritage."

Crooked House campaigner Paul Turner said: "It's a pile of rubble at the moment, but we know that this site has value historically."

He added an Asset of Community Value application had bolstered the prospect of a pub in London being rebuilt.

Five men and one woman have been bailed following their arrests in connection with a police investigation into the blaze.