Fans of one of Greater Manchester's best-loved traditions will have to wait a bit longer for its return amid ongoing industrial action. Harry's Bar, in Wigan, usually hosts the town's famous World Pie Eating Championships in December.
The covid pandemic meant fans of the iconic event have had to wait three years since the last edition, when Wigan builder Ian Gerrard took the crown after gobbling a meat and potato pie in 35.4 seconds. And the wait will now go on for the 28th World Pie Eating Championships, with organisers saying the ongoing train strikes mean competitors would struggle to get to and from the event.
The contest is now expected to take place in January, with a date yet to be confirmed. 'Piemaster' Tony Callaghan, owner of Harry's Bar, told followers in a tongue-in-cheek post on Facebook: "We're now consulting with the elite competitors to try to find a slot in a crowded January 2023 calendar that doesn't clash with kebab night, chippy lunch day, or times when Asda discounts the 'best before' sandwiches and pasties.
