The Crooked House, a British Pub That Leans More Than the Tower of Pisa, Is No More
Unique British Pub Could Disappear
Let's toast to The Crooked House with a peculiarly shaped glass!
Posted on August 3rd, 2023
Steve Sant / Alamy Stock Photo
The Crooked House, a peculiar architectural marvel with its walls slanting in a whimsical manner, was famously known as "Britain's most askew pub." Unfortunately, this beloved establishment in Dudley, England, will be permanently shutting down, as it was listed for sale earlier this year. Surprisingly, the new owner, whose identity remains a mystery, has no intention of preserving its bar essence.
Just wanted to inform our valued customers and visitors that the Crooked House has been purchased by someone else, as mentioned in a recent update on our Facebook page. Unfortunately, it is highly improbable that we will be able to welcome you back through our doors again. Marstons, the previous owners, have sold the property to a private individual who intends to utilize it differently, but we have no further details at the moment.
Constructed in the year of 1765, The Crooked House was initially established as a farmhouse. As the 19th century rolled around, the prevalent industries in the Black Country region of England consisted of coal and limestone mining. Consequently, this led to the unfortunate sinking of one side of the building. During that time, it had already earned a reputation as a beloved local pub and was affectionately referred to as "The Siden House" due to its crooked appearance, as indicated by the Black Country dialect's definition of "siden." Subsequently, it underwent a temporary closure during the 1940s due to safety concerns regarding its unsteady state. However, it was fortunate enough to be saved from the brink of demolition by Wolverhampton and Dudley Breweries, who took the responsibility of reinforcing its structure. Following these much-needed repairs, the Crooked House was able to resume its operations and welcome back patrons.
The sale of The Crooked House was made public in March of this year, with a price of £675,000 ($858,000). Marston's, the owners of the pub, have recently confirmed that the property has indeed been sold. A spokesperson from Marston's expressed their happiness about the completion of the sale but did not provide any information regarding the buyer or the sale price.
Following the pub's statement on social media, stating that it was probably not going to reopen, concerned individuals initiated a petition on Change.org in a bid to rescue it. The objective was to secure the involvement of the National Trust, another establishment, or perhaps a separate brewery to safeguard the pub and its historical significance.
Anne Millward, a previous leader of Dudley, stands firmly in support of the pub. She recognizes the necessity of closing down unprofitable pubs due to financial constraints. However, she firmly believes that this particular pub holds great value and importance to the estate. The brewery as a whole has a longstanding relationship with the Black Country, making it a significant establishment in their collection. Millward shared her thoughts with the Express & Star, emphasizing the pub's significance within the community.
The Crooked House is renowned globally, drawing visitors from various parts of the globe. Its reputation as an extraordinary tavern has been established for quite some time, and individuals in my Gornal community are genuinely eager to witness its possible preservation."
Meanwhile, the Facebook page of the pub is urging the community to continue patronizing other nearby drinking establishments. The pub's latest post expressed a regretful sentiment, stating that they had hoped for a different outcome, but unfortunately, it was not meant to be. The post emphasized the importance of supporting the other remarkable local pubs to ensure their preservation as they rightfully deserve.
