Historic wonky pub's new owner wants to reopen by Christmas

The new owner of a sloping pub, where objects seemingly roll uphill, said he was inspired to buy it by the demolition of the nearby Crooked House.

Ian Riaar said he had been a Crooked House customer and was shocked when it set alight and was then demolished.

The building was just five miles (8km) away from his new pub, the 200-year-old Tilted Barrel in Tipton.

Both pubs sloped due to mining subsidence. Mr Riaar said he hoped his new venture would be open by Christmas.

He bought the grade II-listed building for £186,000 after it failed to secure interest at auction.

Mr Riaar says it is a privilege to own the historic building

"When I heard that the Crooked House, which I used to visit quite a lot, got burned down it really shook me that such a nice building was gone.

"It really hurt me, I thought this is the only place left so I wanted to make it like the Crooked House," he said.

The businessman, from Sutton Coldfield, plans to reopen the property as a pub and hopes to submit planning applications to Dudley Council to build a kitchen.

Pictured in 1968, the Tilted House pub began to lean due to mining subsidence

In keeping with the name, the décor of newly the renovated pub will be centred around aged-wood and barrels.

"I'm hoping to open the inside for drinks before Christmas, I'm trying very hard," Mr Riaar said.

"It is very important as it is one of the only tilted pubs left in the country, I hope Historic England get in touch and help me to keep the building the same."