Shock from pub campaigners and former MP with The Crooked House devastated by fire
A man who set up a Facebook group in an attempt to try and save The Crooked House says he is 'devastated' by news of a serious fire at the famous pub.
Stuart Hall started the group last Tuesday when he saw news reports that the building had been sold and wasn't likely to return as a pub.
He has had people pledge support from all over the world including the USA and Australia and now has 939 members – over 300 joined today after hearing of the overnight blaze at the pub, at Himley Road near Gornal.
Stuart – who has now re-named the group Save the Crooked House (Let's Get it Rebuilt) said: "I'm not sure where we go from here because the fire has obviously devastated the pub and whether the building actually can be saved is debatable.
"There is certainly the appetite to do that, we have had so many people join the group since the news of the fire and before that messages of support from all over the world. It remains to be seen what the next move is from Marston's."
Stuart is based in Telford but grew up in the Dudley area where his parents ran pubs. He said he started the group not knowing whether it would be a realistic ambition to save the Crooked House for pub use and that it was a shame it wasn't used more before it closed.
He said: "I am as guilty of that as anyone, I think the last time I went was over two years ago and we know a lot of pubs are closing across the country.
