ONE of St Helens most-loved piemakers has denied social media rumours of an imminent closure - but confirmed he does plan to retire.

Burchall's, on Westfield Street, is a family pie and pork butchers shop which has been serving the people of St Helens since way back in 1840.

It is famous for its juicy pork pies and is considered a St Helens institution.

Owner John Burchall, who is the great, great, grandson of original owners Joseph and Elizabeth, recently turned 75.

He told the Star today (Friday) that after celebrating his most recent birthday - and after half a century working at the business - he has told staff he plans to retire.

Rumours began swirling today that Burchall's would be shutting up shop, however, John poured cold water on fears of an imminent closure.

Ideally, he would like an investor to come on board and take on the business, although if this doesn't happen the doors are set to close at some point in the future.

John told the Star: "We are not closing imminently. However, I have said I will be retiring - and that will be happening at some point in the future.

"The business is not even up for sale at this point, [but] what I would ideally like is for an investor to come in and take it on.

"People should not just listen to Facebook rumours or as I call it 'Fakebook!"

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 183 years ago.

it made the short switch to Westfield Street in 1921, becoming famous for its juicy pork pies and quality meats. The business is still held in high regard by Sintelliners and has previously been voted as Star readers' 'Pie of the Year'.

Loyal customers often queue outside to load up their plastic lunch boxes with the pork pies while St Helens ex-pats often put out requests for visiting family members to deliver them a taste of home.

However, speaking previously to the Star, John explained how business has become more challenging in recent years as footfall has dropped in the town centre.

"Things are completely different compared to the 80s when there was a real variety of shops and businesses down Westfield Street," he said in a previous interview with the Star.

John, who has been at the helm of the pie shop since 1995 after taking over the business from his dad, added: "People have been coming in here for decades, and they bring their families and kids who have grown up, while others come back at Christmas if they have moved away.

"So people always remember to come back and I often get recognised and stopped on the street, so it is really nice to see."