A POCKLINGTON piemaker says he is ‘blown away’ by the first day of trading at his new pie shop.
Dan Leaver of Dan’s Pies has been making pies for more than 12 years at his former pub, the Wolds Inn at nearby Huggate.
But when the pandemic happened in 2020, the pub was closed and he made them from home.
He sold the pub in February 2023 and began making pies full-time from a small bakery on the Pocklington Industrial Estate off Hampden Road.
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Dan Leaver at Acomb market
(Image: Alice Kavanagh)
Dan sells his pies at many markets, including the Little Bird Markets, across North and East Yorkshire, including Pocklington.
The business also supplies pubs, restaurants, and farm shops across Yorkshire, and customers can also order pies online for local delivery.
Inside the pie shop
(Image: Dan Leaver)
He is a regular award-winner and Google Awards Dan’s Pies 4.9 stars out of five, based on 16 reviews.
Dan credits his success on his pies all being handmade in small batches using local produce.
However, the 36-year-old sought further growth and relocated to new premises at the end of July over the road from his former bakery site.
Inside Dan's Pocklington shop.
(Image: Dan Leaver)
The shop opened yesterday (Monday) in a soft launch lasting two weeks. Then after a week’s holiday, it will formally launch on September 9.
Dan said of the first day: “It went very well. I was quite surprised. It blew my mind. I had an endless supply of pies.”
Dan currently opens the shop Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursday’s and Fridays. He plans to extend the shop opening hours in time. On Tuesday, he stands Pocklington market, saying today was a sell-out.
A flyer for Dan's new shop.
(Image: Pic supplied)
Dan posted online: “Honestly, the support you keep showing us is leaving me lost for words.
“Summer isn’t always the easiest time for a pie business — especially with the heatwaves and school holidays. But week after week, you continue to show up and support us. And today… SOLD OUT AGAIN.”
Dan describes the shop as it stands now as a ‘skeleton’, saying he will be putting in an extra fridge and freezer to sell more products.
The shop exterior
(Image: Dan Leaver)
He added: “It’s just blowing my mind away. Whatever I make, I sell. It’s crazy.”
Customers are loving Dan’s Pies.
One posted on Facebook: “Really enjoyed ours, cracking pies! Will definitely be back.”
Another said: “Mine was delicious.”
Have you eaten Dan's Pies? Which one/s? What did you think? Have you been to the shop yet? Will you go? Or do you buy at his many market stalls? Share your thoughts in the comments below?