MP wants law for historic pubs like Crooked House

Marco Longhi MP said The Crooked House was "senselessly destroyed in the ruthless pursuit of profit over preservation"

An MP has proposed a new law that aims to protect historic pubs like The Crooked House, once dubbed Britain's wonkiest inn.

The 18th Century landmark in Dudley was destroyed by a fire, which is being treated as arson, and then bulldozed last August.

Speaking in Parliament on Wednesday, Dudley North MP Marco Longhi said the pub was unique in character and had been "senselessly destroyed in the ruthless pursuit of profit over preservation."

However, the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) is opposed to his proposals and has warned against unintended consequences.

Chief executive Emma McClarkin said new regulations may deter future investment in establishments that are a "cultural and social cornerstone of communities".

The pub was reduced to a pile of bricks in the wake of the arson attack, last August

Mr Longhi said he wanted the new law to give communities more rights to save pubs, and to make it financially unviable for people to destroy historic venues.

The Crooked House had been a popular attraction in the West Midlands region, with visitors flocking to see the distinctive leaning building.

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

Mr Longhi said: "The Crooked House wasn't just a pub - over centuries it was a gathering place, a sanctuary, a piece of our shared heritage.

"Its walls held countless memories and countless moments that defined our lives in the black country and far beyond."

'Unintended consequences'

He said its destruction was part of a disturbing trend where "short sighted greed trumps the preservation of our cultural heritage".

"Anybody who might push back at this assertion should perhaps explain why it is that across the country, historic pubs, the hub of many local communities, are under threat from the same forces that claimed the crooked house," Mr Longhi added.

He said improved legislation was needed to compel councils to better protect heritage pubs.

Ms McClarkin said: "It is right that MPs understand the need to safeguard historic pubs.

"Pubs are a cultural and social cornerstone of communities up and down the country.

"However, now is not the time to introduce new regulations on pubs that may have unintended consequences and even disincentivise investment."

She called for the government to support efforts to protect pubs financially by freezing beer duty and protecting business rate relief.