Had my bill been introduced, the Crooked House might still be standing, says MP
The MP who represents the constituency covered by the Crooked House says the pub may still be standing if his proposed laws were put in place.
Mike Wood, MP for Kingswinford and South Staffordshire, accused the Government of trying to block his Heritage Public Houses Bill.
Mr Wood spoke of his childhood memories of 'Britain's wonkiest pub', two years since it was gutted in a suspected arson attack - and subsequently demolished without planning permission.
Mr Wood said while it was important that those responsible should be brought to justice, the biggest priority should be getting the pub rebuilt so that future generations can enjoy it.
“I grew up locally and so went to The Crooked House with my family as a kid, rolling the marbles along the bar and trying to work out how that happened," he said of the pub in Himley, near Dudley.
"I was shocked, first when it shut and then a few days later when it was destroyed by fire. I was there a few days after the fire and can remember the smell and taste of the burning rubble in the air.
"It’s a devastating loss that such an iconic part of our industrial heritage has literally gone up in flames. The community has been working so hard to get it rebuilt, and that’s what we need.
"Of course, we must hold those who are responsible to account for their actions, but the most important thing is that we need the Crooked House to be rebuilt so that my children and future generations can enjoy this important pub, like I did when I was growing up.
He said his Heritage Public Houses Bill was introduced to try to make sure that similar things did not happen to any other important pubs. "They really need that extra protection, and my bill is designed so that should It have been introduced two years earlier, The Crooked House might still be standing.
"It would have afforded protection on an interim basis during the ‘listing’ process for a building, whilst that was being considered.
"And should owners wish to sell a heritage pub, they should be sold to a buyer who is committed to ensuring the pub remains operational, or allowing time for communities to come together if they believe that they could take ownership of a heritage pub.
"The Government has objected to my bill several times, so, I’ll be looking to reintroduce my Heritage Public Houses Bill as soon as I can after the King’s Speech.”
