Wiltshire Times and Trowbridge Advertiser, Saturday 27th January 1866 – Miserable Death: An inquest was held on Monday evening at the Hop Pole Inn, Cheltenham, on the body of an old woman named Mary Ann Woodward, who died suddenly on Thursday night. The room that had been occupied by the poor woman is reached by two steps, and as the door was thrown open, a horrible sight met the eye of the jury. The floor was covered thick with filth, and the furniture consisted of a rotten old bedstead, and a small soap-box for a table, upon which stood a few broken cups, and the remains of what appeared to be the poor woman’s last meal. The stench arriving from the room was really dreadful. The place was not fit for the den of a wild beast, much less for the habitation of a human being.
James Leighton was the owner of the Hop Pole Inn in 1891. He also owned or leased the Black Horse in Rosehill Street, the Bridge Inn in Tewkesbury Road; Early Dawn in the Lower High Street, Folly Inn in St Pauls, the Greyhound Inn in Hewlett Road, the Midland Inn in Gloucester Road and the Railway Inn in New Street. The Hop Pole was leased to the Cheltenham Original Brewery in 1891. Licensed as a beer house the pub had an annual rateable value of £21.5s.0d. which remained unchanged in the 1903 licensing returns. Ownership of the Hop Pole in 1903, however, was in the hands of the executors of James Leighton and the lease was still taken by the local Original Brewery Co.
Gloucestershire Echo, Monday 7th August 1911 – FOR SALE: Three and a quarter horse-power Humber motor-cycle, in good going order. Apply Hop Pole Inn, Gloucester Rd.. Cheltenham.
Cheltenham Chronicle, Saturday 23rd November 1912 – Presentation: A farewell smoking concert took place at the Hop Pole Inn, Gloucester Road, Cheltenham. In the course of the evening the Chairman said the many customers at the house had met to show their appreciation of the sterling qualities of the host and hostess, and regret at their departure, and had subscribed to purchase what they hoped would be a useful present. He then handed to Mr. and Mrs. Elliott a handsome hanging clock and silver cruet. Mr Elliott, who was much touched by the goodwill shown, thanked everybody, and said he was more pleased as both he and his wife always tried to treat all their customers alike, holding that the poorest customer was as deserving of civility as the rich. A most enjoyable evening was spent, and after a hearty vote of thanks to the chairman, was brought to a close by singing “God Save the King”.
Cheltenham Chronicle, Saturday 17th April 1937 – Gloucestershire Licensing Committee: The committee confirmed the removal of the licence from the Royal Standard, Swindon Road, to the Hop Pole Inn, Gloucester Road. The applicant was Mr. Albert Mills Nairne, of the Hop Pole Inn, and he was represented by Mr. J.D. Lane. The owners of the premises are the Cheltenham Original Brewery.
Gloucestershire Echo, Thursday 11th March 1937: Cheltenham Licensing Justices, at the adjourned licensing sessions this morning, agreed to the removal of a full licence from one local inn to another which previously was served only by a beer licence. The case was one in which Cheltenham Original Brewery Company, Ltd., applied for the removal of the full licence of the Royal Standard Inn, Swindon Road, the Hop Pole Inn, Gloucester Road, which has only a beer licence. Mr J. D. Lane, who represented the owners of the two houses and the licensees of the establishments, opened his case with a statement regarding the requirements of justices, the owners of the premises and the needs of the district. The application, he said, was for the removal of the licence of the Royal Standard Inn, Swindon Road, Cheltenham, to the Hop Pole Inn, in Gloucester-road. He explained that the Royal Standard licence was a full one, whereas that of the Hop Pole Inn was only a beer licence. Mr. Lane explained that the Cheltenham Original Brewery Co., Ltd., owned both houses, and that they, with the licensees, were all agreed to the removal. He then put in plans of the Hop Pole Inn, and remarked that if the removal was granted the company would give an undertaking to carry out improvements to the satisfaction of the justices.
The Hop Pole Inn, he went on, was situated near the Cheltenham Market, and the reasons for the application were many. . … He had strong evidence to show that there were really urgent needs that full licensed house should be where the Hop Pole Inn is now situated. “Your decision in this matter is unfettered,” he said to tho justices. ‘ You have the same powers to grant a removal as you have to grant a new licence. “Apart from that urgent need,” he went on, “there is one great advantage that will accrue, and it is this —whereas you at the present time have two licenses in Cheltenham, you will have one less. “The old Hop Pole beer licence will be surrendered by the brewery company, and it will go without any claim for compensation. ” The brewery company will give an undertaking that the licence will not be renewed when the time comes round for the renewal. Mr. Lane stated that if the removal was granted the company would also undertake to carry out extensive alterations and improvement at the Hop Pole Inn. He went on to enumerate the needs of the respective house districts. In the Royal Standard Inn area a lot of slum clearing was in progress, with a resultant reduction the population. There were also several other fully licensed houses in the vicinity. Mr. Lane spoke of the great increase in the business of the Cheltenham market with a consequent rise in the influx of buyers and salesmen, who required refreshments. Also the market staff now numbered over 30.
In closing, Mr. Lane again mentioned the demand for a fully licensed house in the vicinity of the market, where meals could be served. “It sounds like a bargain, but I would remind you again,” said Mr. Lane, “that if this removal is granted there will be one less licence in Cheltenham.” Mr. William Eric Dow, architect, formally proved the plans, and said that at present the nearest fully licensed house from Cheltenham Market was 200 yards away, and if the application were granted the nearest, the Hop Pole, would be 20 yards away. Mr. Charles Cooper Castle, auctioneer, gave evidence of the need for a fully licensed house in the market district. The business at the market had grown very considerably, and there were not proper facilities for the many people who attended the market either for the drinks they required or for food. The buyers, he added, had not sufficient time to go to the licensed house 200 yards away.
Mr. John Bryan Till, outside manager of the Cheltenham Original Brewery, said that the removal of the licence from the Royal Standard would not affect the district there. The Brewery Company had received many applications for improved facilities at the Hop Pole. The licensee of the Hop Pole, Mr. Albert Mills Nairne, Mr. Thomas George Underhill, manager of the Gloucestershire Marketing Society, and Mr. Sidney Hill, a buyer from Pontypridd, also spoke of the demand for facilities for obtaining food and other drinks by users of the market. No one present in court offered any objection to the application. Supt. Wayman, who did not object to the application, pointed out that it would be an improvement if the Royal Standard Inn licence was removed. The Chairman announced that the application would be granted subject to a guarantee of substantial improvement being made in the premises, giving facilities for meals and adequate sanitary accommodation.
Gloucestershire Echo, Monday 24th February 1941 – Gloucestershire Marketing Society’s Meeting: A remarkably profitable year’s trading was revealed to members of the Gloucestershire Marketing Society at the Society’s annual meeting held at the Hop Pole Inn, Market Street, Cheltenham, on Saturday. The sales turnover for the year showed an increase of £56,174.11s.4d. over the previous year, including an increase of £45,598.18s.7d. in auction sales.
A plaque on the wall commemorates the old Cheltenham and Gloucester tramway (1809-1861) which once terminated near the site, where there were once one and three quarters acres of wharves, offices and warehouses for handling freight.
The Hop Pole Inn had a winning darts team in 1989. In October they powered their way to victory in the Citizen Silver Dart final. Team member Alan Wiggett was the star of the match sealing victory for the Hop Pole, hitting 140, 121 and 100 on his way to a 16 dart leg which gave them a 4-2 win in the final with Gloucester’s Avenue Inn.
Gloucestershire Echo, 17th February 2000 – Correction. A court report in Saturday’s Echo stated a fight took place at the Hop Pole Inn, Gloucester Road, Cheltenham. We have been asked to point out that a further incident involving a meat cleaver happened in a nearby car park.
Advertisement. May 2000.
26th May 2001 – ‘There is a warm welcome at the Hop Pole’: You’ll always find a warm welcome, courtesy of Rose and Ed Foley, at the Hop Pole. This friendly pub on the corner of Gloucester Road and Market Street is, as Rose says a local community pub. “We’ve been here for 13 years so we know our customers and we know what they like. There is passing trade, but we find that when customers discover us they keep coming back. It’s a nice, relaxed atmosphere.”
The large lounge is fresh and comfortable after its refurbishment. Then beyond the public bar area is the Hop Pole’s excellent skittle alley and gams room with pool table and darts. Eight teams play on the alley (the pub has two darts teams and a Sunday league football squad as well), which is also available for wedding receptions, parties and private functions up to about 75 people. There’s fresh Irish linen on the tables, of course.
Customers who know good value when they see it will like the bar prices, which are very competitive. The Hop Pole has a good reputation for its food too, all freshly made with the best ingredients on the premises by Fran Dowdall. Fran’s home made curry and chilli, plus dishes such as gammon, egg and chips all offer fine value and so do her baguettes and sandwiches. Food served from noon til 2pm and 6pm til 8pm Mondays to Fridays.
There’s a garden with aviary and children are welcome in the pub as long as they’re properly supervised and taken home at a reasonable time. Looking for a proper pub with good food, well priced drinks and a welcoming smile? Then get yourself along to the Hop Pole.
Gloucestershire Echo, Saturday 3rd July 2004 – Swoop on pub. Four arrested: Police swooped on a Cheltenham pub in a third raid in two days as part of Operation Cambio. Officers arrested four people at the Hop Pole Inn, Gloucester Road, Cheltenham. Insp. Mark Lester said: “It was an extension of the operation to combat money laundering and the proceeds of crime.”
Gloucestershire Echo, 9th July 2004 – Hop Pole pub: An article on the Echo on July 3 reporting a police swoop on the Hop Pole pub said four people were arrested. We have been asked to make it clear that the four, a man and four women, were not arrested inside the Gloucester Road pub when it was raided on Friday.
Above: Gloucestershire Echo, 23rd September 2006
Gloucestershire Echo, 10th May 2008 – Pub joins disease fight: Karaoke, darts and head-shaves were all part of the programme during a charity event at Cheltenham’s Hop Pole Inn. The event was held to raise money for Leukaemia Research. It was inspired following the diagnosis of 29-year-old Alice Butler with leukaemia. A total of £2,200 was raised at the pub in Gloucester Road. Landlord Danny Lewis said: “The event was organised by Alice’s family. There were fun events and a raffle, which was generously supported by local companies. It was a great day and everyone enjoyed themselves for a good cause.
Saturday June 20th 2009 – An 80’s themed charity night is to be held at the Hop Pole Inn in Gloucester Road, Cheltenham, tonight. There will be a raffle, fancy dress and a pop quiz which is being held to raise money for cancer research. Entry £2.
Gloucestershire Echo, 16th April 2012 – Pub landlord drives lorry just to survive (by Emma Tilley): Pub landlord Danny Lewis only earns about 79p an hour working behind his bar. Now he is preparing to pull his last pint after rents, rates and supermarket beer prices have forced him to pack in the trade. The 55-year-old has been running the Hop Pole Inn in Gloucester Road for seven-and-a-half years. But since business has nose-dived, Mr Lewis has been forced to work three days a week as a lorry driver to survive. He said Enterprise Inns, which own his pub, have done nothing to keep him in business. Mr Lewis said: “We pay £3,000 a month in rent to Enterprise. We also pay £40 more per barrel of beer than we would if we got it direct from the brewery.”
Enterprise Inns spokesman Vicky Averis said: “Enterprise Inns do not comment on the private and confidential matters which may arise between the company and it’s publicans.”
Mr Lewis said the first five years of running the Hop Pole were good, but supermarkets have provided landlords with increasingly stiff competition.” He added: “Tesco is right opposite me and I went in there this week, it was selling 20 bottles of Budweiser for £17.50. I can’t even buy it in for that.”
The pub also comes with an £18,000 a year business rate fee. He tried to sell the lease so he would not lose his investment, but because the premises need rewiring, he could not. “Enterprise would not do the work and said I would have to. It would cost me about £20,000 to rewire it all and I don’t think its my responsibility. I do repairs but this is replacing the whole system,” he said. “They need to be more flexible and give us an incentive to stay here.
Since he has been in charge, he has spent £18,000 doing the premises up, including new fire doors, re-painting, installing a smoking area and new sach windows.
The Hop Pole’s story highlights some of the problems facing licensees in Cheltenham. The Echo has launched Save Our Pubs in a bid to raise awareness of their plight and save our drinking holes.
Gloucestershire Echo, 16th February 2013 – New landlord needed as pub closes its doors (by Joe Lane): 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 thev town go under. 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 for Cheltenham Festival.
It appears the writing has been on the wall 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.”
Gloucestershire Echo, Kevin Blackadder comment: In our [Echo] Save our Pubs campaign, the name Enterprise Inns has come up many times. Unfortunately they are quoted more often as owners when pubs close than when they are open. With the closure of the Hop Pole Inn in Gloucester Road, Enterprise Inns say it won’t be for long. In fact, they say it will be open in time for next month’s Cheltenham Festival. But at the same time they seem to be struggling to find someone to take over as landlord. That’s unlikely to be because anyone interested thinks things will be quiet during the festival. Perhaps would-be publicans are looking for a definitive commitment from Enterprise Inns that the pub has a long term future.
Cheltenham Borough Council – Planning: 13th September 2013 (13/01607/COU) ‘Change of use of ground floor from public house to one additional flat including demolition of single storey extension’. This applicaton was granted on the 22nd November 2013.
The Hop Pole served its last pints in February 2013. There were no letters submitted to the planning commitee rejecting the proposed closure.
Above images: Chris Amies
Landlords of the Hop Pole include:
1870 Matilda Roberts
1878, 1903, Daniel William Parker
1912 Mr and Mrs Elliott
1937,1939 Albert Mills Nairne
George Green
1986 Eddie Grigg
1988-2001 Edward and Rose Foley (Edward sadly died in 2001, aged 57)
2002 Garth Street (sadly died of a brain haemorrhage after only three weeks as landlord)
2004 Liam Street
2005 Jane Lewis