Britain's 'Wonkiest Pub', The Crooked House, Seeks New Owner
The pub named Crooked House is now available for purchase, and it is open for anyone to submit a bid.
Posted on March 22nd, 2023
Mark Passmore's photograph is available for use on Alamy Stock Photo.
If you're looking for a new pub and don't have a problem with serving drinks in a tilted establishment, then you should definitely take a look at Marston's newest property.
The Crooked House, which is situated in the little town of Dudley in England, has been put on the market for sale. It is a historic pub that has been serving both visitors and natives for two centuries. This pub is well-known not only for its leaning appearance but also for its popularity. All interested parties are welcome to make an offer.
The Stoke Sentinel reports that The Crooked House will be put up for sale and Christie & Co is working together with Marston's, a company that runs 1,500 pubs around the UK, to handle the transaction. The starting bid for this unique property will be roughly £675,000.
The unique design of the building can be traced back to its long and storied past. Originally constructed in 1765 as a farmhouse, The Crooked House underwent a series of changes as the community around it evolved during the industrial revolution. The increased mining activity in the area eventually caused the building to shift and tilt over time, as reported by Discover Britain. While Wolverhampton & Dudley Breweries attempted to fortify the structure, the damage had already been done, leaving the building with a noticeable slope that persists to this day.
The recently appointed proprietors didn't mind this at all, particularly when they realized they could take advantage of its imaginative quality. Entering the pub makes you feel as if you're experiencing an optical illusion. Visitors who are keen to savor the atmosphere can take a seat at the bar and witness a marble making its way down the alehouse's floor.
Even though The Crooked House is filled with unique and entertaining features, maintaining it will be difficult. It demands more than just routine repairs, but dedicated visitor Jim Knowlson affirms it's still worthwhile.
Knowlson, in an interview with The Times, mentioned that owing Britain's most oddly built and heavily intoxicated pub is an opportunity not to be missed. The pub carries historical value, which makes it even more attractive.
There's another thing to mull over: how inflation is affecting pubs throughout the UK. As per a report by the BBC, "Around 400 pubs in England and Wales shut down in the previous year due to the inflation factor impeding their gains. Within the first six months of 2022, 200 places closed down for the same reason."
However, according to Noel Moffitt, who holds the position of Senior Director of Corporate Pubs and Restaurants at Christie & Co, the gamble is justifiable. This holds true, chiefly if you are an enthusiast of ale and keen to preserve the history of a landmark site. As mentioned to the BBC by Mr. Moffitt, "The pub industry has demonstrated great fortitude in recent years and has acclimatized itself remarkably well to the hurdles. Despite the interest in this field, there is a conspicuous dearth of properties available for sale."
