Will it ever get re-built? Campaign group looking for answers over Crooked House

There is growing frustration amongst members of Save the Crooked House (Let's Get it Re-Built) group at what they see as  a lack of action in the investigation by the police and Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) into the events on Saturday August 5 2023 when the Himley hostelry was destroyed by fire and then bulldozed just two days later.

Six people were arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life and conspiracy to commit arson with intent to endanger life. They were bailed while the police investigation continued and were then freed from that bail. 

South Staffordshire Council issued an enforcement notice ordering those responsible for the demolition of the pub to rebuild it and a public inquiry was planned in February this year but postponed following a High Court appeal.

Now Paul Turner, who started the Save the Crooked House campaign in the wake of it's demise, has penned an open letter to the Express & Star this week calling for answers and action 

In the letter he says: "The case appears to remain open but attempts to find out what progress, if any, has been made towards a decision, have been unsuccessful.

"We are a campaign group with over 37,000 supporters who are angry and upset that our heritage was attacked in this way and wish for the process to be expedited. 

"This cannot happen while either the CPS or Staffordshire Police are allowing such a long unexplained delay in the process. We would like some information about the timescales involved and if, indeed, anything is happening at all."

Last year on the one-year-anniversary, a party was held in high spirits at Himley Hall,  with 500 people enjoying music, food and laughter, and a speech made by Mr Turner. Fellow group leader Ian Sandall who is now a councillor for Sedgley ward was also present to help rally the troops and now he is also trying to find out what progress is being made legally.

Former Dudley MP Marco Longhi, who had recently lost his seat to Sonia Kumar, was present but kept in the background.  He had previously been a high profile figure in the wake of the destruction of the pub, speaking at a  rally by the group at Himley Hall in front of the world's media

Former West Midlands mayor Andy Street was another high profile supporter and Mike Wood MP, who now represents the area where the pub stood in his Kingswinford and South Staffordshire constituency has pledged his support for the group as part of his pub bill campaign.

He told the Express & Star this week: “Nearly two years after the devastating fire at the Crooked House, and we need those responsible to be held accountable for this attack on our local heritage.“

"But we also need to make sure that other historic pubs are protected so that other communities don’t lose their iconic boozers.

“I’m disappointed that instead of working with me to change the law, Government Whips chose to kill off my Heritage Public Houses Bill on Friday. It shows how little the Government understands or cares about our local heritage.” 

Mr Turner said: "People in the group are becoming restless for either answers or progress as the process seems to have ground to a halt. Where there was plenty of spirit at the one year anniversary, that is still there as well as over 37,000 members.

"But as time goes by it becomes harder to convince those members and the public that the aims of the campaign, to re-build the Crooked House, are realistic. 

"We just want some answers in terms of where everybody stands legally and with the authorities."

Inspector Nicola Brookes, deputy commander for South Staffs Local Policing Team said: " There is no update at this stage and our colleagues in CID are in charge of the matter.

A spokesperson for the Crown Prosecution Service said no charges had been brought and the matter was still under investigation by the police.