A HISTORIC 185-year-old pie and butchers shop is set to close its doors in weeks in a big blow for the high street.
The much-loved institution will pull down its shutters later this month after first opening in 1840.
Burchall’s, in St Helen’s, Merseyside, will welcome in customers for the final time on March 29, the St Helens Star reports.
A sign has been placed in the window of the town centre shop announcing the news.
It reads: “It is with regret that Burchall’s will be closing down on Saturday, March 29.
“We would like to thank all our loyal customers who have supported us over many years.”
News of the closure has been met with devastation from locals who rely on the shop for the “best” pork pies.
One local, posting on Facebook, said: “End of an era…tastiest pork pies ever…gonna miss them.”
Another commented: “An absolute travesty. My youngest son is heartbroken.”
A third added: “So sad, best pies ever made.”
Meanwhile, a fourth added: “Best pies about! Gutted there will be no more.”
OTHER BUTCHERS CLOSURES
The closure of Burchall’s comes after a host of other butchers shut their doors for good in recent years.
[bc_video account_id=”5067014667001″ application_id=”” aspect_ratio=”16:9″ autoplay=”” caption=”Glasgow’s Best Butcher: A 40-Year Legacy” embed=”in-page” experience_id=”” height=”100%” language_detection=”” max_height=”360px” max_width=”640px” min_width=”0px” mute=”” padding_top=”56%” picture_in_picture=”” player_id=”default” playlist_id=”” playsinline=”” sizing=”responsive” video_id=”6369383492112″ video_ids=”” width=”640px”]Much-loved family butchers Wendy Donald in Blairgowrie, Scotland, confirmed last month it would shut after a car crashed into the shop.
Thomson Family Butchers in Dundee, which sold “top quality local produce”, also shut its doors for the final time last September.
Further back, East Runton Butchers in Runton closed after 70 years at the end of 2023.
Meanwhile, CN Wright Butchers in Codnor, Derbyshire, closed after 135 years midway through the same year.
Historic butchers GH Porter in Nottinghamshire confirmed it would close in 2023 after opening over 130 years prior too.
BAKERIES CLOSURES
It’s not just butchers who have closed branches across the UK in recent years, but a number of bakeries too.
Just last week, family-run artisan bakery The Crusty Cob closed all nine of its shops across Devon and Somerset.
In a statement, directors of the bakery chain Neil, Howard, and Trudy Tubbs, said the decision to close the branches had come due to a number of factors, including lower footfall and increased energy costs.
Bennetts Family Bakers in Westbourne, Bournemouth, pulled down its shutters permanently after 75 years last month too.
A number of big chains have closed branches across the UK in recent months too.
Although it’s worth bearing in mind it’s common practice for bigger retailers to open and close branches based on customer demand and sales.
Greggs has revealed it is set to close a branch in Cambridge on March 31.
Meanwhile, Pattiserie Valerie suddenly shut a shop last month, leaving customers devastated.