Sir Gavin Williamson attended the six-month anniversary of the fire at the Crooked House pub, taking action in the re-building project by nominating the site as an asset of community value.
The event was organised by Crooked House campaigner, Paul Turner, who wanted to mark the anniversary by holding a memory event, showcasing the meaning of the pub to the local community and the national culture. More than 100 people returned to the site to pin notes of their memories of ‘Britain’s wonkiest pub’ onto a pin-board erected near to the ruins. The pub was the focus of national outrage in August 2023, when a fire destroyed the building, famous for its sloping walls and floors which had formed due to the subsidence of mining in the area. The unique landmark had been standing since the 18th century and attracted visitors from across the globe who came to experience the visual curiosity.
To take action on the Crooked House campaign, Sir Gavin has nominated the Crooked House as an Asset of Community Value. Once listed as an Asset of Community Value with the local authority, the local community will be informed when the site is listed for sale within the five year listing period. Locals could then enact the Community Right to Bid, which would see the Crooked House site being handed over to community efforts for its restoration. Support for a Community Right to Bid are demonstrable by a national campaign to see the pub rebuilt ‘brick by brick’, which has been signed by 35,000 people.
Sir Gavin said: “It is hard to think that it has been six months since we lost the Crooked House. It’s been a long journey, but the anniversary event showed us that people are willing to fight for re-building the landmark pub. By nominating the site as an Asset of Community Value, I’m hoping to provide the opportunity for the re-building to take place. What happened here will not be forgotten, and we’re doing all we can to bring back an important piece of Staffordshire heritage.”
Sir Gavin then met with Crooked House campaigner, Paul Turner, at South Staffordshire District Council, who said: “It’s a pile of rubble at the moment, but we know that this site has value historically. 1765 the house and pub was built there, it became crooked, and it’s been burnt and it’s been demolished. We’re now in a position where we’re aiming to get it rebuilt. We’ve been told by Westminster City Council that one of the first things they did with a pub called the Carlton Tavern which was demolished, is that they put an Asset of Community Value application in, and the reason for that was to increase its value and to push the legal case to get the government to agree to re-build it.”
