Has it ever been cut down before? If not, it should regenerate but will take several years. It will have to draw on its reserve energy which is stored in the roots for situations like this. This could be an opportunity to decide if you want to plant something else or a new location since the garden centers are stocking up.

Almost impossible to kill Holly. It will re-grow with a vengeance if it is anything like the ones we have.

I agree with Owd. I have been trying to kill one for years but it keeps re-sprouting. I should poison it but I like the challenge.

Thanks a lot guys. I think I will just tidy it up and see what happens for the time being.
I do like it where it is but I let it get away from me and suddenly it was 8ft tall !! Mind you it took a few years to get there and was then too big to prune for a barely 5ft person !!
Lesson learned. Pictures to follow.......some time in the future 😂

I have a 'lollipop' holly tree and I have cut it right back to just a stump in the past. It always regrows to form a nice round 'lollipop' :)

Hywel that sounds interesting and very clever. It's worth a try !!

Me clever … LOL that'll be the day ! :D

Seaburn, have you tried ring barking your holly?