Inquiry into rebuilding the Crooked House postponed to 2025
It's after it was ordered to be rebuilt in February after a suspected arson attack.
A public inquiry into whether the owners of the Crooked House Pub near Dudley should rebuild it, has been postponed.
“Britain’s wonkiest inn” was the victim of a suspected arson attack which left it destroyed and unsafe.
South Staffordshire Council served an enforcement order on the owners in February, ordering them to rebuild the pub within three years after it was destroyed last year.
However, the owners launched an appeal and the council now says the inquiry is likely to take place in spring next year - instead of this summer.
Paul Turner is a campaigner to get the pub in Himley rebuilt and has told us its disapointing,
"We've told everyone it's a marathon not a sprint but that doesn't mean that every delay isn't a problem for us.
"The whole process is very frustrating. We obviously just want the Crooked House to be rebuilt as soon as possible but it's clear that we'll have to remain patient.
"We still have no doubt that the eventual outcome will be that the appeal fails and the Crooked House is rebuilt. We will not give up on this fight."
Since their investigation began, Staffordshire Police have arrested six people in connection to The Crooked House pub fire.
Three men were arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life.
Two other men, and a woman, were held on suspicion of conspiracy to commit arson with intent, or being reckless as to whether life was endangered.
All six remain on conditional bail.