Cheltenham party pub The Hollow Bottom is closed down

Thank heavens it's the Flat season. What's the point of having a big winner if there's no pub where you can celebrate your victory?

The Hollow Bottom in Temple Guiting, which has famously hosted parties to mark numerous triumphs at nearby Cheltenham – and further afield – has closed suddenly.

It was the scene of celebrations after Bindaree won the Grand National and Imperial Commander landed the Cheltenham Gold Cup, and used to be part-owned by trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies.

The pub was also where John Neild marked a notable victory by his Splash Of Ginge with a party that lasted several days and cost thousands of pounds.

Splash out in style when you win - racing is there to be enjoyed

But The Hollow Bottom, which is within walking distance of Twiston-Davies's Grange Hill Farm, has been locked up after the decision of licensee Hugh Kelly to quit and take up a new job opportunity.

"The Hollow Bottom shut on Monday," Kelly said. "I have been there for 18 years and I have handed the lease back to the couple who bought the freehold.

"I had a job opportunity I could not refuse so unfortunately I had to give it up, but I will remain as an adviser. The pub has been a huge part of my life, I love the place. But it was time to try something new."

However, the closure is expected to be temporary as Kelly said: "The Hollow Bottom will 100 per cent be reopening. The owners just want to get the right people in.

"I am looking forward to going back there on the other side of the bar. It is a thriving pub which just needs some new energy. Anyone who comes in with the right enthusiasm will flourish."

Twiston-Davies, who actually owned a quarter share in the Hollow Bottom two decades ago, is confident the pub will reopen.

"We have happy memories there, we've had some great days and there will be many more," he said.

"I'm sure it's going to reopen. The tenant has gone and they're looking for another one. I'm sure it will do fine, it will do really well."

People who have paid deposits for forthcoming events at the 17th century pub, which had a £150,000 makeover a couple of years ago, will have their money returned.

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