The owners of the Crooked House pub have been ordered to rebuild it after it was demolished following a suspected arson attack.
The owners of the property, which was destroyed by a fire on 5 August last year, have been served with an enforcement notice by South Staffordshire Council that “requires the building to be built back to what it was prior to the fire”, the local authority said.
In a statement, South Staffordshire Council it had “engaged with the owners” since the destruction of the building, “but has reached a point where formal action is considered necessary”.
The enforcement notice served against the owners requires the building to be rebuilt by February 2027, the council said.
If work is not completed within the time limit, the local authority can prosecute for failure to comply with the notice, it added.
The owners of the site have 30 days to appeal the notice.
Mayor of the West Midlands Andy Street welcomed the order for the 18th-century pub, known as Britain’s wonkiest pub, to be restored.
He posted on X: “Crooked House ordered to be rebuilt.
“An enforcement notice has been issued against the owners for its unlawful demolition.
“They have been ordered to rebuild the pub back to what it was before the fire – just as we’ve been lobbying for.
“Fantastic work from South Staffordshire Council.”
More follows on this breaking news story….
