Crooked House demolition sparks industry outrage

The high-profile case of the fire and demolition of the Crooked House pub in South Staffordshire has triggered outrage among pub and bar the sector.  

Having been sold by Marston's in July, the story of the Crooked House has made national headlines after the famous venue caught fire and was bulldozed days later, allegedly without planning permission.

The destruction of the historic site has angered many locals, as well as previous visitors of the 'wonkiest pub in Britain'. 

A public statement from South Staffordshire Council confirmed that the full demolition of the building was not mandated by the safety inspection that took place after the fire. Police have also told the BBC that the fire is being treated as arson.

A nationwide scandal

The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) has declared the unlawful conversion and demolition of pubs in England a ‘nationwide scandal’. 

In 2017, planning law was changed so that pubs in England could not be converted or demolished without planning permission, but figures published by CAMRA have shown that over 30 pubs may have been demolished or converted without planning permission in the last six months.  

CAMRA’s pub campaigns director Gary Timmins has now written to Rachel Maclean MP, housing and planning minister, asking for central government to take action to deter developers and ensure that illegally demolished pubs are rebuilt ‘brick by brick’. 

"The complete destruction of this iconic pub has brought the nationwide scandal of the non-enforcement of pub protection legislation to the forefront of people’s minds," says Timmins.

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