Pub campaign group lobbies PM to ‘prevent another Crooked House scandal'

It cites the case of the Crooked House in Himley, Staffordshire, which was shut and put on the market by Marston's for £675,000. It was subsequently bought by the landfill company based next to the pub.

Shortly after purchase, the pub, dubbed ‘Britain's wonkiest pub' burnt down. Police are investigating it as an arson attack.

The current owners demolished it without permission from the local authority, which is now considering legal action over the demolition.

Campaign for Pubs, which seeks to support, promote and protect Britain's pubs, has called for the Crooked House to be rebuilt brick-by-brick.

According to Propel, campaign director Greg Mulholland said the fire and demolition at the Crooked House "is a national scandal".

Calling for a full investigation, Mulholland added: "We need a simple change to planning law so that no historic pub can be sold for alternative use, converted or demolished until it has been properly marketed for at least a year at the independently valued price as a pub.

This would stop the cynical destruction of pubs and allow licensees, local breweries, entrepreneurs and communities to buy our historic pubs and make a success of them."

The letter was co-signed by the group's chair, vice-chair and pubs protection advisor and concluded that the "appalling case" of the Crooked House should be "the catalyst" to protect community pubs. It ended: "We urge you, as someone that has stated their support for pubs, to act and save Britain's iconic historic pubs."