Pubs could be given protections to stop becoming next ‘Crooked House’
Six people were arrested during the investigation on suspicion of arson-related offences. All have since been released.
Pubs could be given automatic protections from sale or redevelopment under a proposed new law due to be debated by Parliament.
Under the Heritage Public Houses Bill, community groups would get the right to buy pubs under a legally obliged delay period to allow them to put bids together.
Conservative MP Mike Wood, who is behind the Bill, said it would help save pubs like the 258-year-old Crooked House in Himley, near Dudley, which was sold by pub giant Marston’s in 2023 before being gutted in a fire shortly afterwards and wrongly demolished the next day.
The Crooked House was known as Britain’s wonkiest pub, caused by mining subsidence.
It created an optical illusion which made glasses and coins appear to roll uphill.
Staffordshire Police have submitted a file of evidence to the Crown Prosecution Service about the fire and demolition in August 2023. No charges have been made.
Mr Wood, whose Kingswinford and South Staffordshire constituency includes the Crooked House, said it would provide vital protections to stop the same thing happening again.
His private member’s bill will be debated by MPs in the Commons on Friday. It will need Government support to continue its progress through Parliament.
Mr Wood said: “It’s based on what happened at the Crooked House where the local community literally had no idea that Marston’s were looking to sell the pub until they heard it had been bought.
“There should have been a number of groups in the running to buy the pub.”
The Bill would create a combination of protections provided by buildings having listed status or being assets of community value (ACV) without having to go through a lengthy process.
The Crooked House was in the process of being formally listed with Historic England when it was demolished.
Mr Wood said the same fate could befall other pubs if his Bill is not brought in. His Bill would mean councils would have to compile a register of pubs with historic features and interiors, or wider significance.
Pub sales would have to ensure they continue to operate as pubs, or go through a delay of more than a year to give community groups the chance to find a buyer.
Mr Wood said: “With an ACV a community group has to be put together, you have to collect signatures and it can be quite an intensive process – especially if you are doing it in a short space of time.
“Whereas this Bill will give potential buyers a year to put something together and would give protections to pubs up and down the country.”
Mr Wood said his favourite pubs often feature a wide beer selection, and praised the Black Country Ales brewery in his constituency which runs a number of historic pubs in the West Midlands.
“They’ve been very good at taking on pubs that are about to close, or have closed and reopening them,” he said.
He added: “We know Andy Burnham has spoken about how much he loves pubs, but we might be the first big test of how much he is committed to them.”
The Bill has the support of the Campaign for Real Ale. Its national planning policy adviser Paul Ainsworth said: “It’s been three years since the demolition of the iconic Crooked House in Himley, and we can’t allow losses of any further heritage pubs in such circumstances.
“Heritage and historic pubs clearly need protection from unscrupulous developers, and the Government must put laws in place to preserve our heritage and protect pubs from being converted or demolished against the wishes of local communities.”