Bolton Wanderers fans still go to Burnden Park Pie Shop

Whites fans continue to call in for their pre-match snack at Burnden Park Pie Shop in Manchester Road, even though the football club which used to be opposite, moved to Horwich 17 years ago.

Owner Ms Partington would much prefer it if Bolton Wanderers were still playing on the hallowed Burnden Park turf of yesteryear, but she is not complaining.

“The fans still come in for their pies,” said 44-year-old Ms Partington. “Our pies are much cheaper than the ones they get in or around the ground, so it is not surprising.

“I still think it’s a shame they moved the football club out of the town. Walking to the ground from the town centre was a magical experience for fans for many years.

“When it moved the shop was affected because we didn’t get the match day crowds, but there are many people who still come here on the way to the games now. One or two of the officials from the club also come in.”

Ms Partington believes the shop is continuing to thrive because it supplies market stalls in Bolton, Bury and Farnworth with the pies it makes.

She added: “We also deliver to private functions — we’re currently doing at least one every weekend.”

Ms Partington, who is an Army Reservist sergeant major at 216 Battery, based in Weston Street, took over the shop in 2005 following the retirement of her father and mother, Frank and Mary Partington.

The shop had previously been passed down from founder Frances Wood — Ms Partington’s great grandmother — to her daughter Frances Partington, Frank and Herbert Partington’s mother.

Although Ms Partington and her 59-year-old partner, who is a major in the same Army Reservist battery, have no children, there are nieces Abbie and Lucy Russell, aged 15 and 10, respectively, and eight-year-old Jessica Partington waiting in the wings.

“It’s a family business,” said Ms Partington. “Even before I took over the shop and I was doing secretarial work, I was still coming in to the shop helping my dad.”