The Bell Bottisham

The Bell Bottisham friendly family pub in the bottisham community

13/09/2026

SO THAT’S IT FROM THE BELL 💛

What a send-off last night — absolutely blown away. Massive thanks to Val and Jason, couldn’t have done it without you two. And to every single one of you who turned up — you are the heartbeat of this place, not the brewery, not the building. YOU are The Bell.

I’m gutted to be signing off like this — illness means I’m heading in for a short stay in hospital — but I pushed through, I stood in there as long as i could, and I wasn’t saying goodbye without being there. That’s how I do things.

Whoever takes this on next — listen closely: £3,600 a week before you’ve even unlocked the doors. Tied b**r at inflated prices. No real support. A 5‑year tenancy? You’ll be broke in 2 years. This isn’t a business — it’s a trap.

This pub survived because of US — friends, family, locals who actually showed up. Without that — there is nothing.

Most of all — Nakita. Through every late night, every hard day, every tear. You held me together when I was falling apart. You were there when it mattered most, and I couldn’t have got through any of this without you. I love you so much. 💙

Adam couldn’t be there and chose not to have a farewell — I respect that completely, and I thank him for everything we built together.

SO WHAT NOW?

The Bell doesn’t belong to some faceless company miles away. It belongs to YOU. My suggestion — and I’ve seen it work elsewhere — is simple: buy it together. Community‑owned, run by you, for you. Cut out the middleman. Keep it here. That’s the only way this survives.



💥 AND HERE’S THE BOMBSHELL — I’M NOT DONE 💥

Call me what you like. But watch this:

I’m walking straight into a Nightclub, Newmarket — and I’m giving my time, my energy, everything I’ve got — FOR FREE for the first few months. Why? Because I don’t do it for the money. I do it because I love it.

We’re going to bring the magic back. We’re going to put on nights you’ll talk about for years. We’re going to show everyone exactly what happens when you’ve got heart.

The Governor isn’t leaving — I’m just changing venues. 👊🔥

This isn’t an ending. It’s a new beginning.

Thank you for everything. See you on the dancefloor.

Kieran ❤️



P.S. And just for the record — those b**r lines were cleaned twice in the last two weeks. Every pint was fresh. No need to make things up.

11/09/2026

🍻 WEEKEND OPENING UPDATE 🍻

A quick update ahead of this weekend…

Unfortunately, we have no ale available, and I’m unable to serve what we currently have.

So this weekend we’ll be serving:

🍺 La**rs
🍎 C***r
🥃 Spirits

💷 CASH IS PREFERRED

Our current card machine has been decommissioned, and I’m currently trying to arrange an alternative. We should have a machine available for card payments, but I’m not 100% certain I’ll have it set up and working correctly in time.

So, to avoid any disappointment, please bring cash where possible.

Thanks for your understanding — and we look forward to seeing you all this weekend!

08/09/2026

🔥 FAREWELL WEEKEND – FINAL CALL AT THE BELL! 🔥

🗓️ Next FRIDAY • SATURDAY • SUNDAY 11th -13th – We’re clearing the cellar completely! Everything must go – once it’s gone, it’s gone forever!

Music will be on sat night

⏰ OPENING TIMES:
🕒 Friday: 3:00 PM onwards
🕔 Saturday: 5:00 PM onwards -
🕛 Sunday: 12:00 PM (Midday) – 8:00 PM
(May close earlier if stock runs out – get down early!)

💰 SIMPLE, CLEARANCE PRICES:
✅ ALL PINTS – £4.00
✅ GUINNESS – ONLY £5.00
✅ SPIRIT + MIXER – £3.00
✅ DOUBLE + MIXER – £5.00

⚠️ IMPORTANT – PLEASE BRING CASH!
Card machine is unreliable and being decommissioned – we can’t guarantee it will work. Cash preferred – no cashback available.

Come raise a glass, say goodbye, and help us empty the bar! Last chance to see you all – let’s make it a proper send-off! 🥂🍻

Tag your mates, share this post, and don’t miss out! 👇

Sad day today the start of the garden removal.. by gosh it was wet
08/09/2026

Sad day today the start of the garden removal.. by gosh it was wet

01/09/2026

We are looking for a new person to join the team. As we grow fast we are becoming busier and busier and need to expand, so if you are looking for some work or hours please Inbox us

31/08/2026

Just to let you all know this week the pub will be closed.

If your needing a drink please use Bottisham Community Sports and Social Club just up the road near downing Court.

We will be doing work inside and outside the pub over the next few weeks.

28/08/2026

📢 IMPORTANT UPDATE — FROM KIERAN @ THE BELL, BOTTISHAM

28 August 2026

Dear Friends, Neighbours & Regulars,

I want to be 100% open & clear with you about exactly what’s happening — because this pub belongs to this community, and you deserve the full truth.



✅ MY 12‑MONTH OFFER — STILL ON THE TABLE

I put forward a solid, realistic plan to secure the pub’s future:

- A proper 12‑month tenancy
​
- Fill the cellar fully with stock & buy furniture to make the place welcoming
​
- Spread ALL costs evenly over 12 months — fair, affordable, sustainable
​
- All I asked was basic support & fair terms

This offer was turned down — BUT IT REMAINS OPEN & AVAILABLE RIGHT NOW. I am still ready to sign & make it work if they agree to sensible terms.

Instead, they pushed a risky “Tenancy at Will” — no long‑term security, no legal protection, all risk on me. I refused to sign it (on professional legal advice) — it was unsafe, unstable, and not in the village’s interest.



💷 THE REAL NUMBERS — NO HIDING FACTS

- Running this pub properly costs £3,700 EVERY SINGLE WEEK
(Stock, wines, spirits, rent, gas, electric, staffing, repairs — everything.)
​
- Zero backup, zero credit, zero help — every penny comes out of my own pocket.
​
- For anyone coming after me:
​
- Minimum weekly costs: £3,500+
​
- Must turn over £6,000 PER WEEK just to break even
​
- Still no guaranteed support from outside



📉 RIGHT NOW — OPENING UPDATE

We literally cannot afford to buy more b**r. We only have limited stock left — no way to restock reliably or trade properly.

👉 SO:
WE WILL BE CLOSED THIS SATURDAY
We will only reopen when we reach a fair, viable agreement — or when we see a clear path forward.

I WILL NOT be bullied or forced into running this pub on a wing and a prayer.



🌳 GARDEN & WORK DONE

I built your outdoor space in good faith — their manager visited & agreed it was fine in principle. I’m ready to submit planning (£120 fee) — it will be approved. We can keep it as a permanent community garden, or I’ll restore it neatly — no mess, no hassle.



🎉 WE WILL SAY GOODBYE PROPERLY

Whatever happens:
✅ COMMUNITY LEAVING PARTY — SEPTEMBER (date coming very soon!)
✅ We’ll celebrate the good times, the memories, & YOU — the heart of this place.



📝 THIS IS OFFICIAL & PROTECTED

I’ve raised every concern formally with the Pubs Code Adjudicator (PCA Ref: 1184577) — the independent regulator — because transparency matters.



I’m not walking away quietly — I’m standing up for honesty & what’s right for Bottisham. Thank you for every visit, every pint, every bit of loyalty.

My door stays open — 12‑month offer still stands — but I will not compromise on fairness.

Keep supporting your local pub — it matters more than you know.

Kieran Badcock
The Bell, Bottisham

🍻 CHAPTER CLOSED – A THANK YOU & UPDATE FROM THE BELL 🍻 After two and a half years of what can only be described as one ...
25/08/2026

🍻 CHAPTER CLOSED – A THANK YOU & UPDATE FROM THE BELL 🍻

After two and a half years of what can only be described as one hell of a journey, Adam has decided to step away from The Bell and we are going our separate ways with the pub.

It’s been everything: fantastic highs, fun chaos, sad moments, and memories that will stick with us for life. We’ve laughed, we’ve battled, we’ve built, and we’ve stood together – and through it all, Adam always had this pub, this community, and everyone here at the very heart of everything he did. It’s a real shame things didn’t work out as we hoped in the end – but sometimes life moves us down different roads, and we respect that fully. Friends for life, whatever comes next. 💛

Where we stand now:
I’m stepping forward alone to negotiate the future of The Bell with Admiral Taverns this week. It’s make‑or‑break time: if I can secure the fair, solid deal I’m fighting for – then we’ll be here, moving forward, and keeping the doors open. If not… well, I’ll walk away too, knowing I gave it absolutely everything.

For now: a massive, heartfelt THANK YOU to Adam. You poured your heart, soul and hard work into this place – for the village, for the team, and for every person who walked in that door. You leave with our total respect and lifelong friendship. 🙏🍺

We’ll keep you all posted on what happens with the new deal over the coming days – thanks as always for sticking with us, for the banter, and for being the heart of this place whatever happens.

Kieran ❤️🍻

25/08/2026

Opening hours this week

Hope everything is well.

This is currently the situation for the pub Opening hours this week.

Hopefully we will have some clarity going forward this week and we can share some news.

Tue- closed
Wed - 5-10pm
Thur - 5- 10pm
Fri 3pm - 11pm
Sat tbc
Sun tbc

Address

16 High Street
Cambridge
CB259DA

Opening Hours

Monday 4pm - 11pm
Tuesday 11am - 11pm
Wednesday 11am - 11pm
Thursday 9am - 11pm
Friday 9am - 11:30pm
Saturday 9am - 11:30pm
Sunday 9am - 10:30pm

Telephone

+447398982938

Website

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