QUEUES were back in town as Burchall's reopened today, selling their famous pork pies to the hungry – and impatient – masses after six months of closure.

Over the weekend, we reported the long awaited news that the legendary St Helens pork butchers – known far and wide for its famous juicy pies – was reopening today Monday, September 7, after closing in March when the country went into coronavirus lockdown.

St Helens Star:

Well today the queues started early, with one eager customer even nipping round the back before 8am to ask if any pies were on offer.

The Star caught up with owner John Burchall, 71, between customers.

St Helens Star:

Commenting on the opening, he said: "It's been very good so far. First thing this morning I was really stressed, because it is a concern whether customers will come back after six months and whether the product is going to be right.

"But the customers are back which is nice to see and the product is good so I'm very happy.

St Helens Star:

"It's nice seeing the customers queuing up today, we had one chap wandering round around 7.30am this morning asking 'are you not open yet? Have you got any pies?'

"I just said 'No we've not got any pies, we are not even open yet, but we will be at 9am'.

"A lot of our customers are of an age and you worry if they are OK and with us still. And we lost a few staff who haven't felt ready to come back, but we are taking things steadily.

"We've got socially distanced queues outside. Only two customers can go into the shop at a time. We have hand sanitisers and our staff in the front have face masks.

St Helens Star:

"We've been told our staff in the bake house do not have to wear them because it would be impractical with the heat in there, but it is socially distanced and we've cut back on the number of staff in."

Mr Burchall is hoping to welcome even more customers in the next few days and weeks. He added: "I can totally understand if some people have not felt right to come back to us yet, but we are looking forward to seeing them when they do and rest assured every step has been taken to assure safety."