Home / Disasters and Accidents / Iconic 'Wonky' Pub Reduced to Ruin After Suspected Arson Attack
Iconic 'Wonky' Pub Reduced to Ruin After Suspected Arson Attack
7 Aug
Summary
- Crooked House pub in Himley, Staffordshire destroyed by fire 2 years ago
- Owners ATE Farms demolished remains without permission, now appealing order to rebuild
- Site has become a 'decaying dumping ground' with fly-tipping and anti-social behavior
Two years after a suspected arson attack gutted the iconic Crooked House pub in Himley, Staffordshire, the site has descended into ruin, with the remains of the beloved 'wonky' tavern left to decay.
The 18th-century building, known for its quirky tilted appearance caused by local mining activity, was demolished without permission less than 48 hours after the August 2023 fire by owners ATE Farms, who had purchased it just 9 days prior. South Staffordshire district council later ordered the firm to rebuild the 260-year-old protected pub within 3 years, but ATE has now appealed the decision, delaying the process.
As the legal battle drags on, the site has become a 'decaying dumping ground', with shocking photos showing piles of discarded fridges, mattresses, and other waste littering the area. Destroyed fences and drug paraphernalia further contribute to the site's dilapidated state, angering local residents who mourn the loss of this 'national treasure'.
Campaigners are now fighting to ensure the Crooked House is rebuilt brick-by-brick, as ordered by the council. But with the owners' appeal pending the conclusion of the police investigation into the suspected arson, the future of this beloved pub remains uncertain.
