The Telegraph & Argus celebrates its 150th anniversary this year and in honour of the occasion we are printing a story from our archives every day for 150 days.

Today we look at the Telegraph & Argus Monday December 3, 1990: It was an odd time of year to lose this particular landmark and sad news for many of Bradford shoppers but on Saturday December 1, Philip Smith & Co, closed its doors for the last time.

All year, Yorkshire’s oldest pork shop had been busy dispensing fast food two centuries before anybody had ever heard of a burger. But in the run-up to Christmas it was at its best, its windows glowing with the finest pork stand pies, and queues snaking for yards up Ivegate as shoppers waited for the best pie in the land to grace their Boxing Day dinner table.

Then, suddenly, it was all over, after principal partner Peter Brambani decided to retire on health grounds and a buyer could not be found for the asking price. The last day was a sad one for the city. Old customers dropped in to say their farewells and devotees of the Smith’s pie made sure they had one last one to savour.