Owners of re-built pub and MP throw weight behind Crooked House campaigners on London visit

Westminster City Council issued an "unprecedented" enforcement notice ordering the then owners to "recreate in facsimile the building as it stood immediately prior to its demolition". 

Ben took on the tenancy of the pub a year later during lockdown with business partner Tom Rees and has 'made a go of it' since with the hostelry doing well in a competitive environment.

The pair hosted members of the Save the Crooked House (Let's Get it Rebuilt) team in the capital on the day an appeal should have been heard by the owners of the famous Himley pub against an order to 'rebuild it brick by brick.'

Mr Martin backed the campaign, saying: "People do still care about pubs, even with the economic realities which is seeing some of them inevitably close.

"We are doing ok, we are getting there. It wasn't easy to take on a pub during Covid and come out of it with all the difficulties that brought but me and Tom do have plenty of experience in the trade and have turned it round.

"The whole process of what happened with the Carlton Tavern, and a number of others, have shown it is worth pursuing things through legal and other channels and we wish the Crooked House campaigners all the best - it was a pleasure to host them here."

Paul Turner and Ian Sandall from the group along with Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) representatives also met Kingswinford and South Staffordshire MP Mike Wood who hosted the team at Westminster whilst they were in London.

The second reading of Mr Wood's  pub protection bill, which aims to protect heritage pubs like The Crooked House, will be presented to Parliament today (Wednesday) and receive a reading on Friday.

He said: "It was a good meeting and it was great to take time out from a busy day in Parliament to meet the team from the campaign, show them around and talk in the office about ways forward.

"The Facebook group itself has well over 37,000 members and 18 months on from what happened to the Crooked House, there is massive support in the community for it to be rebuilt.

"It will take time and a monumental effort and obviously legal hurdles will have to be overcome but the strength of will is certainly there."

Ian Sandall said: "On the day the appeal hearing should have been heard at South Staffordshire Council we felt it appropriate to visit London and meet with the owners of the Carlton Tavern, a meeting which has been long planned, and Mike who has been so supportive.

"I realise the process is a frustrating one in terms of the things we have to overcome but we will get there, the same as The Carlton Tavern, the strength of will is there and not just in the immediate community but worldwide - we thank Mike and Ben for hosting us today."