A 65-year-old pork pie enthusiast has triggered a furious row over the quality of pork pies being produced by a beloved family bakery.
Mike Dowd, from Breadsall, led the charge against Birds Bakery after posting his disappointment on the Pork Pie Appreciation Society Facebook page.
The disappointed regular complained that his purchase from the Chaddesden branch was "nowhere near as good as they used to be".
His review attracted more than 400 responses, with the majority sharing similar concerns.
When combined with another critical post from Paul Ellison on the same group, the complaints exceeded 500 negative comments about the Midlands bakery chain's pork pies.
Nearly 350 of those responses specifically claimed the product had deteriorated in quality.
Jamie Bird, the fourth-generation family member who serves as Birds Bakery’s managing director, acknowledged the online criticism and expressed gratitude to those who voiced their concerns.
"We'd like to reassure customers that our pork pie recipe has not changed. We're proud to have been making and selling them the same way since we opened our first bakery in 1919," he said.
A Breadsall man has unleashed a row over a family bakery after he said their pies had declined in quality
|FACEBOOK: MIKE DOWD
He emphasised that the products continue to be crafted by hand each day and remain popular with many customers.
"Our pork pies are handmade daily and enjoyed by many customers - and if anything, the debate shows just how much people care about a proper pork pie," he added.
However, Mr Dowd remained unconvinced by the company's assurances about consistency.
"It was so tasteless, the pastry was half an inch thick, there was no jelly - what a shame,” he despaired.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS
The family head of the chain assured they were 'making and selling pies the same way since we opened our first bakery in 1919'
|He also pointed to visual changes in the meat itself: "You always notice really good pork pies - the pork is a greyish colour whereas their pork now is bright pink."
The Breadsall resident has held a particular affection for Birds since working a Saturday job at their warehouse in 1976, when he considered their products "the best".
"I've noticed over the last two or three years, it seems to be going off," he added.
Tim Brown, 55, has been eating Birds' pork pies since childhood also believes something had been changed in recent times.
"We got a big one at Christmas, and I just thought it didn't remind me of my childhood," he said, noting the pies had "lost the pepperyness."
Despite his disappointment, Mr Brown maintains his loyalty to the family-run business and plans to continue visiting the Alvaston branch for other items, including sausage cobs, cakes and scones.
"Birds are a fantastic local business and I think people should support them as much as possible," he added.
The bakery chain operates more than 60 shops across the Midlands.
Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter