The Crooked House is a public house in Himley, near Dudley and has stood there since 1765. Originally a farmhouse, it began sinking on one side due to mining in the area. Around 1830, it became a public house and was called The Siden House, 'siden' meaning 'crooked' in the local Black Country dialect.

It was later renamed the Glynne Arms, after the local landowner, Sir Stephen Glynne, on whose land it stood.

In the 1940s it was condemned as unsafe and was scheduled for demolition until  Wolverhampton and Dudley Breweries purchased the pub and rescued it by making the structure safe using buttresses and girders to retain its lopsided appearance. It then became known as The Crooked House and has been a tourist attraction ever since.

This year, however, Marston's, its latest owner, has reportedly sold it to a 'private buyer for alternative use' according to the Birmingham Mail website. The Mail goes on to say:

'In its heyday, the pub attracted drinkers from across the globe and was famed for being the place where coins and marbles seemingly rolled uphill along the bar. But the "iconic" former farmhouse was listed for sale earlier this year, with a guide price of £675,000.'

'An update posted on the pub's Facebook page on Thursday evening (July 27) said: "The Crooked House has been sold. Unlikely to open its doors again. Marston's have sold the site to private buyer for alternative use, that is all we know. This is just to update the page so nobody makes any wasted journeys to the site .'

It will be a tragedy if this wonderful tourist attraction is lost. Properly marketed, it will attract visitors from all over the world. To demolish it and use the site for another purpose would mean the loss of this iconic and beautiful building.

There are many organisations including breweries, tourism companies, the National Trust, the local council and maybe other businesses who could rescue the Crooked House and all avenues must be exhausted to avoid later regret after it is lost.

Once it is demolished, it will be too late to go back.

Please sign this petition.