Arson pub owners face bill

The owners of an historic Willenhall pub which was targeted by arsonists could be forced to clean up the site which has been left to go to rack and ruin.Enforcement action could be taken to force improvements at the dilapidated Bell Inn, in Market Place, which is a grade two listed building.

A blaze ripped through Willenhall's oldest building, which has been dubbed the area's own Rover's Return, early yesterday, causing severe smoke damage.

Action is now being taken to revamp the premises, which had already fallen into neglect, with Walsall Council tracing the owners to carry out repairs.

Walsall Council spoke-sman Dan Slee said: "We are looking to put pressure on the landowner to repair this landmark pub and bring it back into good use.

"We have today visited the site to inspect the damage caused by the most recent fire and we will be putting pressure on the landowners to carry out their responsibilities and keep the building secure.

"We were not able to get into the boarded-up building but made an assessment of exterior damage. We are looking at what enforcement action we could take."

Willenhall councillor Sean Coughlan said renovation was needed.

He said: "The pub has been repeatedly broken into and now it has been set on fire which I find very, very sad."

The Bell survived a fire from 1659 which destroyed much of the town in the space of one hour.

Tony Conway, of butchers Conways, said about yesterday's arson attack: "It is a shame. It is a lovely pub and it is really old."

The pub was also subjected to an attempted arson in 1999 when a man poured petrol into the doorway.

By Craig Hughes

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