'Let's make Pie Shop a community asset': Hundreds asked to chip in to save legendary late-night venue

Interest in Wakefield's famous Pie Shop has soared after it was announced it was up for sale, with some calling for a consortium to step in.
Colleagues Sharon Devonport and Karen Eccleston outside the shop.Colleagues Sharon Devonport and Karen Eccleston outside the shop.
Colleagues Sharon Devonport and Karen Eccleston outside the shop.

Karen Eccleston has run the Cheapside shop for nearly 14 years, and when news of her decision was made hundreds of people took to Facebook adamant that the legendary late-night venue must be saved.

Some have even suggested snapping up the £39,950 lease, saying resources should be pooled to make it a cooperative business, owned by the people.

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Reader Lewis Gunter wrote on Facebook: "Can we all actually just chip in, I'm sure there's at least 5,000 people that love this place and would pay a tenner to save it.

The shop just off Westgate is popular among late-night revellersThe shop just off Westgate is popular among late-night revellers
The shop just off Westgate is popular among late-night revellers

"Could be community owned. The profits to buy other places that are dying we want to save."

Ben Adams had the same idea and wrote: "If we get 80 people to chip in £500 we can buy it as a community. The people's pie shop!"

The Pie Shop is, for many the first choice for food after a night out in Wakefield city centre ,serving up an assortment of pies with chips, peas and gravy.

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The lucrative shop has an annual turnover of more than £158,000, such is its popularity, despite only opening two-and-a-half days a week.

Open until 5am at weekends, it has never been short of customers, and recently appeared on Chanel 4's Tom Allen Goes to Town when the comedian went searching for what makes Wakefield unique.

Although closed at the moment due to lockdown, the shop will be re-opening on May 20 in accordance with government guidelines.

But Karen Eccleston is hopeful that it will remain as the Pie Shop, even if it eventually switches hands.

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The news of its uncertain future led to many take to social media, with some even threatening drastic action.

Victoria Wilson said: "If it shuts I’m never off to Wakefield again. I’m done."

Caroline Scholefield added: "This place can not close. Wakefield won’t allow it."

The property is being marketed by business agent, Ernest Wilson.

Anyone interested in taking on the business can call 0113 238 2900.

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