AN AWARD-WINNING pie and pastry manufacturer has described losing all its orders for major sporting events almost overnight

Piglets Pantry, based in Worthing, was due to sell the pies, sausage rolls and other tasty treats at The Amex Stadium in Falmer this weekend.

But because Brighton and Hove Albion’s Premier League fixture against Arsenal was cancelled, it has left the company with a 10,000 stockpile in its warehouse.

So the company appealed to fans to help munch through the backlog, and said it has received orders online, as well as supporters queuing at the pantry.

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By Saturday Seagulls supporters had already gorged on 2,500 pies, but the company made further appeals to help clear the others.

Owner Joanna Hunter said her company is trying to adapt.

Usually it deals with 35 clients nationwide, which includes Brighton and Hove Albion, along with major sports stadia including the England Rugby games at Twickenham.

She said: “No business can prepare for such a catastrophic event. We have lost most of our order book overnight due to the stadium closures.

“It’s all hands to the pump, but we are absolutely thrilled by the support we have had from our regular customers among the Albion fan base, who missed their usual pie with the game being postponed.

“Like any business in the hospitality industry its very concerning due to the current situation.

“We are worried for our staff, our loyal fans and the business.

“Like most companies we can survive a short interruption but obviously have grave concerns for the business if this extends further.

“Our short term goals are to keep feed feeding our amazing fans.

“We have about 9,000 pies and sausage rolls available from our usual flavours, and the best way for fans to order them is by email, that’s the most helpful way to us at this stage.”

Piglets Pantry was selected as Albion’s manufacturer at the Amex in 2011, and Ms Hunter said since then it has been “love at first bite” as diners continue to enjoy the food.

But now she is looking to diversify where pies can be sold, including investigating whether there are opportunities to sell to the NHS and the public sector.

Ms Hunter said: “We hope to have online ordering available via our website and we are working hard to keep the business running until sports are able to resume by sending our pies to our customers around the UK, who would usually buy at their local club.

“We have a challenge ahead with various overheads to meet, but we have a plan in place and we hope we can generate enough business to keep our workforce employed and working.”

Ms Hunter has seen her business grow from a small pantry in Shoreham.

From there she won the contract to provide pies at The Amex where she had to win a bid amid fierce competition in 2011.

Piglets Pantry Pies won the taste test from club directors and has gone from strength to strength since.

A total of 2,500 pies sold out within 15 minutes of opening at the first game at the Amex.

Then numbers quickly grew to 5,000, and now the club places a regular order for somewhere between 8,000 and 10,000 pies for each Premier League match.

Ms Hunter and Piglets have won 32 different awards for their products, including tickling the tastebuds of Paul Hollywood, Mary Berry and Chris Evans to win the best chicken, gammon and leek pie.

To order, visit pigletspantry.co.uk to view their product and email an inquiry or order to sales@pigletspantry.co.uk.

Meanwhile other business have been affected by the coronavirus outbreak.

National Record Store Day was due to be held next month in a boon to independent stores such as Brighton’s Resident in North Laine, and Cult Hero in The Lanes. The event has been postponed until June 20.

At Churchill Square, retailer Urban Outfitters closed its store yesterday. All of its stores will remain closed until March 28.

Apple, which has stores in Brighton, said it would be closing all of its retail stores outside China until March 27.

It said that “the most effective way to minimise risk of the virus’s transmission is to reduce density and maximise social distance.”

Other major retailers have issued statements, saying their shops remain open albeit with special measures.

The Argus has further reports on pages 22 and 23.