Cheltenham pub Hop Pole closure raises concerns over future
REGULARS at the Hop Pole pub in Cheltenham have been left without anywhere to drink after the venue shut its doors.
The sudden closure has prompted fears the Gloucester Road drinking spot could be the latest victim of the slump affecting the pub industry – which has seen several venues in the town go under.
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shut: The Hop Pole pub in Gloucester Road, Cheltenham
But owners Enterprise Inns said it was in negotiations with another landlord to come and take over the site and that it should be back open in time for Cheltenham Festival.
Customers said they hoped it was not the end for the pub.
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Pauline Smith, from Woodmancote, used to go there often with her late husband Joseph, known as Joeboy.
She said: "We had some great nights down at the Hop Pole.
"It had a good bunch of locals who used to go there and it was a lot of fun. We had karaoke, dancing and poker nights.
"Joeboy used to play in a darts team called the Merry Men at one point as well.
"It was a good pub. People who said it was rough are wrong. There was hardly ever any trouble there.
"I would be very sad to see it close for good."
It appears the writing has been on the wall for the pub for some time. Last year landlord Danny Lewis said he was going to have to give up the lease after seven-and-a-half years after struggling with high rents, rates and supermarket booze offers.
He added he could only make 79p an hour and was having to work part-time as a lorry driver to supplement his income.
A spokesman for Enterprise Inns said: "The Hop Pole is only closed temporarily while we complete minor works on site.
"We are in discussions with a prospective publican with a view to resume trading in the next few weeks, ready for the Cheltenham Festival."
The closure comes in the same week as the Echo revealed the Fox and Hounds in Prestbury Road – also an Enterprise Inns venue – had also been left boarded up.
The spokesman added attempts were being made to recruit a new publican but that so far no one had come forward. Anyone interested in taking on the pub can call 0800 953 0072.
OPINION, P8
7 Comments
by buffersyeoman
Monday, February 18 2013, 8:53AM
“Look across this and any other county, pubs are closed or closing down, the majority are owned by or bought out by Enterprise Inns. They seem to have an agenda to close down as many pubs as possible?, they will as pointed out by Matt1006 make as much money out of those decent people with a dream before they will eventually increase rents. It happens time and time again, the new tenants come in lay down their money make drastic improvements and the wham Enterprise will increase rents so as to force landlords out. Enterprise reap the benefits, rent, fittings and fixtures to increase property value and in the process suck the landlords dry.”
by verysceptical
Sunday, February 17 2013, 12:06AM
“Anywhere with regulars that call themselves "Joeboy" is clearly a place to avoid...”
by georgette2010
Saturday, February 16 2013, 2:53PM
“Yet another pub falling victim of the greedy pubcos. When will the Government sit up and take note of the fact that these companies have played a large part in the demise of our communities?”
by Matt1006
Saturday, February 16 2013, 2:30PM
“The regulars had best pop over the crossing into Tesco then. Save themselves a fortune in the process.
Enterprise Inns - what a surprise. Now looking for another sap to take on the tenancy, complete with high monthly rents, not to mention forced to buy their beer from their landlord at inflated costs.
Enterprise won't be happy until they've forced closures on all of their estate. But they've been like this for as long as I can remember - only interested in making money, not at all interested in their tenant landlords, nor their customers.”
by stevet
Saturday, February 16 2013, 1:23PM
“#dump”
by tishwash
Saturday, February 16 2013, 12:43PM
“It always looks closed when I go past, perhaps they should make themselves look more 'open' and they might get passing trade?
Also, hasn't this pub changed hands lots of times recently?”
by HarryTigger
Saturday, February 16 2013, 11:44AM
“So regulars have been left without anywhere to drink... No other pubs in Cheltenham then?”