Black Country Week

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Sunday, 27 August 2023 - 1 hour 37 minutes

On the 5th August 2023, local iconic Black Country landmark, The Crooked House Pub, suffered a devastating fire. Within 48 hours, the building was demolished.

The building was originally a farmhouse and was built in 1765. During the early 19th century, mining in the area caused one side of the building to begin gradually sinking. By the 1830s it was a public house called the Siden House, siden meaning "crooked" in Black Country dialect.The building renamed the Glynne Arms after the local landowner, Sir Stephen Glynne, on whose land it stood. and was condemned as unsafe in the 1940s and was scheduled for demolition. Wolverhampton and Dudley Breweries purchased the pub and rescued it by making the structure safe using buttresses and girders to retain its lopsided appearance. The brewery went onto become Marston's, and in 2023 became one of 61 pubs sold off by the group.

The fire followed the closure and sale of the building by Marston's after ‘tens of thousands of pounds worth of damage’ was caused during a break in. It seemed unlikely that the pub would ever re-open, following confirmation it had been sold to a private buyer. The guide price for the sale was £675,000.

The campaign to 'Save The Crooked House' started before the fire, on the news it was unlikely to ever re-open as a pub. The fire and subsequent demolition infuriated local people as they saw a beloved piece of industrial heritage destroyed, The campaign to save, and now rebuild, this quirky, beloved pub, and how it has gained regional, national and international attention is an ongoing story of community action and pride in the Black Country. Joining Black Country Week, with Ian Marrey, are two of the driving force behind the local community campaign - Paul Turner and Ian Sandal. Joining the conversation is  Dudley North MP Marco Longhi, who is not only supporting the campaign, but seeking to get a 'Crooked House' law through the commons to protect heritage buildings and pubs from a similar fate.  In the second hour, James Stevens, local publican, joins the conversation as they conversation turns to protecting heritage public house.

This is a Black Country Radio Production © 2023

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