LIFE in St Helens town centre has gradually taken steps back to some sort of normality in the past two months.

But as shops, pubs and eateries have reopened their doors and put up the social distancing signs, there’s been at least one notable absentee from the local shopping scene.

The closed signs have been up at Burchall's, the legendary St Helens pork butchers – known far and wide for its famous juicy pies – since the country went into coronavirus lockdown in March.

Shops began reopening in mid-June and since then plenty of customers have walked by the distinctive green-fronted butchery on Westfield Street desperately looking for a sign that the production of one of St Helens’ most loved delicacies will restart.

Well, fear not pie lovers, the wait looks like it’s over, with owner John Burchall confirming to the Star that its doors are to reopen from Monday, September 7.

John, who turned 71 last week, said: “I can confirm we are planning to reopen on Monday, providing of course there’s no sudden change or spike with the (coronavirus) situation in St Helens.

“I’m doing this for my customers.

"I’ve had many stopping me on the street and phoning me up asking when we are reopening.”

Speaking to the Star as he makes preparations inside the store, his point becomes abundantly clear, with shoppers rattling on the door or stopping him on the street eager to find out when normal business resumes.

John says the lengthy closure was largely due to social distancing difficulties inside the bake house.

St Helens Star:

John, pictured back in 2009, with a tray of the famous Burchall's pies

Like many businesses across the borough, staff were placed on furlough during the shutdown.

But after advice from health and safety teams, John, who, for more than 30 years has been at the helm of a family firm passed down the generations, is confident the business can restart safely.

John added: "Hopefully things keep improving, we'll return to more normality and next year will mark the 100th anniversary of us being based on Westfield Street."

The famous butchery's life dates back decades before that, as it started on Church Street, near to where the Hardshaw Centre stands today. Even back in the 19th century queues would form outside as people waited to snap up their 'pie fix'.

With social distancing in place and many Burchall's fans eager to have their tastebuds tickled after a wait of nearly six months, queues along Westfield Street could be longer than ever next week.