'Get things moving', Crooked House campaigners say

The pub's owners have been told to rebuild within three years, but that is under appeal

Campaigners want to "get things moving", a year after the owners of a pub destroyed in a suspected arson attack were ordered to rebuild it.

On Friday they met with local MP Mike Wood at the site of the Crooked House, known as Britain's wonkiest pub.

Save the Crooked House campaigner Ian Sandall said: "The purpose of today's meeting is to start prompting people with a big and sharp stick.

"This is massive thing for the heart of the Black Country. We have a long heritage and the Crooked House is a part of that. It has to be rebuilt."

He added: "We can't afford to let this settle and be forgotten."

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

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

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

South Staffordshire Council served the enforcement order on its owners in February 2024.

An appeal will look into whether the owners should heed South Staffordshire Council's enforcement notice to rebuild the pub within three years.

A public inquiry, requested by ATE, was set to begin on 11 March.

But Mr Sandall said it had been postponed while criminal damages for arson were being dealt with.