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Leicester’s famous Walkers Pies shop is set to close after nearly 200 years of trading.

Company bosses say the award-winning shop, which opened as a butchers near the market in 1824, has suffered from falling numbers of customers in recent years and is no longer commercially viable.

Around ten members of staff work at the shop in Cheapside in the city centre and they were informed on Friday that their jobs would be at risk.

Walkers has become a true Leicester institution on Christmas Eve morning when shoppers would form huge queues along Cheapside to get their hands on a festive favourite pork pie for breakfast.

A spokeswoman for Walkers and Son, which is owned by Leicestershire food manufacturer Samworth Brothers, has told Leicestershire Live it is sorry to be considering the closure.

She said: “We can confirm that we have commenced a consultation with staff regarding a proposal to close the Walkers Shop in Cheapside.

“We are sorry to be considering this step but as with many other high street retailers we have witnessed a decline in footfall over the past few years and, despite our best efforts, the Walkers shop is no longer commercially viable.

“As part of our staff consultations we will work with affected staff to identify alternative roles in our business where possible.”

The firm has not specified when the shop might close.

Dennis Neale, 73, from Humberstone, said he was shocked by the news.

He said: “I’ve been coming here since I was just a lad – sometimes three times a week for a pork pie or something.

“You’d come down on Christmas Eve morning and see all the people waiting to get in.

“It was actually part of the celebrations.

“I’m surprised because the place was closed for about a year while they did the place up and made it more modern.

“That must have cost a lot and now its going to close.

“It’s a real shock.”

(Image: Beth Walsh)

poll loading What do you think of the closure of Walkers Pies? 1000+ VOTES SO FAR Awful news. Something must be done to save it It's really sad but if not enough people shop there...

Helen Wallis, 53, from Braunstone Frith, said: “It’s such a shame but so many well known shops struggle these days I’m never surprised to see another one go.

“I feel really sorry for the women who work in there. I hope they can be found other jobs and not get let go in the run up to Christmas.”