What happens next for Crooked House, after company issued with striking-off order

The building, at Himley, near Dudley,  was severely damaged in a suspected arson attack nine days after A T E Farms bought it from former owner Marston's. Two days later it was unlawfully demolished on the instruction of A T E Farms.

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South Staffordshire Council issued an enforcement notice in February 2024 ordering that the building, known as 'Britain's wonkiest pub', should be rebuilt in its original location. 

But on Saturday the Express & Star revealed that a compulsory striking-off order had been issued on A T E Farms, after the company failed to submit its accounts by the due date. It had also failed to issue a confirmation statement, declaring that all its activities were within the law.

The order would have meant that A T E Farms, based in Bedford, Warwickshire, would have been dissolved by March 27, unless cause was shown why this should not happen. However, on January 29, the order was suspended after an objection was received. 

Paul Turner, of the Save the Crooked House, Let's Get it Rebuilt campaign group, said the application would have no impact on the enforcement notice, as it had also been issued to husband and wife Adam and Carly Taylor, of Lutterworth, Leicestershire, who were identified as being connected to the building. Mr Taylor is listed as the sole director of the company, while Mrs Taylor was a director of the company at the time of the fire and subsequent demolition. The notice was also served on the owner of the land itself.

Mr Turner said he did not know who had objected to the striking-off order, but said as far as he knew, it was no-one from his group. He said South Staffordshire Council had also told him it was not behind it.

"The enforcement notice that the council issued was made to both A T E Farms and Adam Taylor and Carly Taylor, they have a personal responsibility for the site," he said. 

"I'm confident that, eventually, the Crooked House will be rebuilt, but how long it takes is another matter."

If the striking-off action does go ahead, A T E Farms' assets would become the property of the Crown.

Experts estimate the cost of rebuilding the pub could run to £3 million, and take three years to complete.

The order to rebuild the pub was suspended after an appeal was lodged with the planning inspectorate. A public inquiry was due to have commenced on March 11 last year, but was postponed following a High Court challenge by the owners.

A judge ruled that the inquiry could not take place until a criminal inquiry into the alleged arson attack had been completed. Staffordshire Police made a total of six arrests, five men and one woman, but to date no charges have been brought.  

Staffordshire Police has confirmed that it was not behind the objection to the order, and said the investigation into the fire was continuing.