FROM pork pies to meat and potato pies, and apple pies to cherry pies, we all have our favourite.
Whether you like savoury ones or sweet ones, the choice of fillings for pasty cases is endless.
This week is British Pie Week – a whole week aimed at celebrating pies in all their glory.
The special week in the calendar is always the first week of March and The British Pie Awards are at the centre of the week, with judging on March 5.
But, looking a bit closer to home, where in St Helens can you pick up a pie to mark the occasion?
As part of our Best of 2024 competition, we asked you, our readers, who makes the area’s best pies.
We put together a shortlist of four places to visit to try a pie.
The overall winner and St Helens' Best for Pies 2024 Burchall's has been keeping hungry customers satisfied for more than 180 years.
Piemaker extraordinaire John Burchall and his family have been making award-winning pies in St Helens since the 1840s - there's no need to change the recipe!
“If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” is John’s motto when it comes to creating the perfect pie and he continues to use the same recipe passed down through five generations of his family.
Originally launched as a butcher’s shop by Joseph Burchall and merged as a bakery with his wife Elizabeth, Burchall's first opened along Church Street in St Helens town centre 184 years ago.
Making the short move to Westfield Street in 1921, Burchall's is frequently mentioned as one of the most loved businesses in St Helens and has become famous for its juicy pork pies and quality meats.
However, owner John Burchall says that business has been tough in recent years and things are "completely different" from a few decades ago.
John, who is the great, great, grandson of original owners Joseph and Elizabeth, said: "The main problem we have is footfall in the town centre.
“There has definitely been a big drop off over the years as customers favour online shopping and visiting retail parks instead.
“We sell pork pies – no sweet ones – and the recipe is decades old.
“If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!”
Through its tried and tested recipes, Burchall’s has kept hungry customers returning for well over a century, whether that’s selling to local pubs and wholesalers or to those who continue to pop through their Westfield Street doors.
In fact, around 500 of Burchall's fresh pork pies are still sold every day.
READ MORE:
Meet the owners of St Helens' triple award-winning pies
The historic Burchall’s building - home to the famous pie-maker - was listed for sale in November last year.
The iconic butcher’s premises on Westfield Street was listed on Rightmove, with an asking price of £225,000.
This figure is for the distinctive green-fronted property alone but the business would also be for sale, if owner John Burchall finds a suitable buyer to take on the family firm which has been in existence for more than 180 years.
John assured customers that Burchall's will continue trading this year.
Here are the four pies that made the final shortlist for St Helens' Best for Pies 2024.
Will you visit one today?
OUR 4 BEST FOR PIES FINALISTS:
Blackburns
Blackburns, Cambridge Road, St Helens
One nomination said: “Delicious pies, great prices and very friendly staff – an all-round winner.”
Another said: “Best ever pies and cakes.”
For more details ring 01744 24412.
Cottoms
Cottoms, Lock Street, St Helens
The company’s tagline is ‘famous for taste’ and their pies are certainly tasty with customers eating plenty each week.
One happy customer said: “Family pies that are great value, tasty and filled to the brim with quality!”
For more details go to facebook.com/cottomsfoods
Pimbletts
Pimbletts Bakery, Westside Industrial Estate, Jackson Street, St Helens
The cheese and onion pie is “head and shoulders above its nearest competitor” according to one satisfied customer – and they admit to having tried them all on numerous occasions!
For more details go to facebook.com/PimblettsBakery
Burchall's
Burchall’s, Westfield Street, St Helens
Customers come from far and wide to enjoy the pies at Burchall’s – last year’s Best for Pies in St Helens winner.
One nomination said: “I travel from Llangollen just to pick up some Burchall’s pies – and to watch Saints.
“The pork pies are usually still warm and I have one as soon as I’m through the door, with juice running down my chin.
“It’s pure heaven.”
For more details ring 01744 23048.
Share