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Under the Heritage Public Houses Bill, community groups would be given the right to buy historic pubs under a statutory grace period – inspired by the loss of Staffordshire’s Crooked House
A new ‘Crooked House law’ is being debated after the historic Midland pub was demolished and demolished.
Pubs could be granted automatic safeguards against sale or redevelopment under a proposed bill being debated in parliament.
Under the Heritage Public Houses Bill, community organizations would be given the right to buy pubs during a legally enforced waiting period, giving them enough time to compile their bids.
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Conservative MP Mike Wood, the driving force behind the bill, said it would help preserve pubs such as the 258-year-old Crooked House in Himley, Staffordshire, which was sold by pub giant Marston’s in 2023 before being gutted in a fire shortly afterwards and then wrongfully demolished the next day.
The Crooked House was known as Britain’s wonkiest pub, a result of mining decline.
It created a remarkable optical illusion that made glasses and coins appear to be rolling uphill.
Six people were arrested during the subsequent investigation on suspicion of arson-related offences, although all have since been released.
Staffordshire Police handed over a file of evidence to the Crown Prosecution Service about the fire and demolition in August 2023. No charges have been made.
Mr Wood, whose Kingswinford and South Staffordshire constituency includes the Crooked House, said the legislation would provide crucial protection to prevent a repeat of such events.
His private member’s bill is due to be debated by MPs in the Commons on Friday, although it supports the government to continue through Parliament. Mr Wood said: “It is based on what happened at the Crooked House where the local community literally had no idea that Marston’s were looking to sell the pub until they heard it was being bought.
“There should have been a number of groups in the running to buy the pub.”
The legislation would establish a mix of safeguards offered by buildings that have listed status or are Assets of Community Value (ACV) without requiring a lengthy procedure.
The Crooked House was formally listed with Historic England when it was demolished.
Mr Wood suggested other pubs could meet the same fate without his legislation. His proposal would require councils to maintain a register of pubs with historic characteristics and interiors, or wider importance.
Pub transactions must ensure their continued operation as pubs, or exceed a one-year delay to allow community organizations the opportunity to secure a buyer.
Mr Wood explained: “With an ACV you have to put together a community group, you have to collect signatures and it can be quite an intensive process – especially if you do it in a short period of time.
“While this bill gives potential buyers a year to put something together and protect the pubs and the land.”
Mr Wood mentioned that his preferred pubs typically offer an extensive beer range, and praised the Black Country Ales Brewery in his constituency, which operates several historic pubs across the West Midlands. “They’ve been very good at taking on pubs that are about to close, or have closed and reopened,” he said.
He added: “We know Andy Burnham has talked about how much he loves pubs, but we may be the first big test of how committed he is to them.”
The bill has the support of the Campaign for Real Ale, with its national planning policy adviser Paul Ainsworth saying: “It is three years since the demolition of the iconic Crooked House in Himley, and we cannot allow the loss of any further heritage pubs in such circumstances.
“Heritage and historic pubs clearly need protection from unscrupulous developers, and the Government must put in place laws to preserve our heritage and protect pubs from being converted or demolished against the wishes of local communities.”
