They should grow back, though you might want to reduce the height as well if the central stem is over 7 feet so they're more likely to produce growth all the way down. Give them a good shot of fertiliser now - something like Growmore granules will be fine, or whatever balanced NPK or higher nitrogen feed you've got on hand.

Thank you Bamboo, should I keep snipping off new growth over the Summer or just leave them be?

No, why would you snip off new growth, you want them to grow, don't you? New growth is what you're hoping for, if all they are is bare stems currently.

Sorry I may have been unclear in my first message. Some of them have growth on the top with a long stem. I was told that if I snipped the new growth there they would be encouraged to grow out rather than up. As for the other poor bare ones, I know to leave them be!

Ah, I see - take off the tops, leaving bare stem. You haven't said how tall they are, nor how tall you want them to be, but if they're, say, 5 feet high, I'd cut that back by half.

Thanks Bamboo, you are very patient lol. They are about three feet, my aim is that I have a hedge about five feet but nice and thick. As you are probably aware by now I am a complete novice. I am so glad to have found this site. I have a long way to go!! Thanks again.

Sorry last question, is it ok to keep topping them throughout the Summer months?

Yes - but not past mid August, when no cutting should take place because any new growth forced by that won't have time to harden off properly before autumn/winter sets in.

Thank you for all your help Bamboo, I look forward to a Summer of nurturing my plants.