LONDON (AP) — The owners of a quirky 18th century British pub bulldozed after a mysterious fire last year were ordered on Tuesday by a local council to rebuild it — and to stick to its original, lopsided dimensions.
The watering hole — known as the Crooked House for its leaning walls and tilting foundation — favored by many locals in the village of Himley, central England, was gutted by a fire and subsequently demolished last August.
Its demise saddened many in the village, about 210 kilometers (130 miles) northwest of London, and became the subject of a criminal investigation. Three people were arrested and later released on bail in connection with the blaze but no one was charged.
In a statement, the South Staffordshire Council said it had "engaged with the owners" and now ordered the pub rebuilt "back to what it was prior to the fire" by February 2027 or face prosecution for failing to comply. The council said the owners, Adam and Carly Taylor, have 30 days to appeal the notice.
Roger Lees, the leader of the council, praised those in the campaign whose "aim is to see the Crooked House back to its former glory."
"We have not taken this action lightly, but we believe that it is right to bring the owners, who demolished the building without consent, to account and we are committed to do what we can to get the Crooked House rebuilt," he said.
Andy Street, the mayor of the wider West Midlands region who has supported the pub's reconstruction, welcomed the decision in a post on X, formerly Twitter. "Fantastic work from South Staffordshire Council," Street said.
The fire took place two weeks after the pub was sold by operator Marston's to a local firm. Two days later — and before a cause could be determined — the pub was bulldozed, which raised more questions.
The pub, originally built as a farmhouse in 1765, started sinking on one side as a result of extensive coal mining in the area, which is part of England's region widely known as the Black Country, a reference to its industrial and mining heyday in the mid-19th century.
Around 1830, it became a pub and was called The Siden House — siden meaning crooked in the local dialect.
In the 1940s, it was renamed the Glynne Arms but was condemned as unsafe and scheduled for demolition until a forebear of Marston's bought it and made it safe.
Renamed as The Crooked House, it became a tourist attraction, drawing visitors to admire its odd structure, one side standing about 1.2 meters (4 feet) lower than the other.
Now, there is only three years to go until the pub rises again and thirsty regulars can sip a beer — or two.
