Eat Square, the Wiltshire-based pie producer, has released a range of gluten-free pies, which includes dairy-free, vegetarian and vegan variants.

The range features Roasted Vegetable (vegan, dairy and gluten-free), Spiced Sweet Potato and Goat’s Cheese (vegetarian), Free Range Chicken and Leek (dairy-free) and Traditional Steak Pie (dairy-free).

The pies weigh approximately 220g and retail for £3-£4. They are available from shops and markets in the area around the company’s Bradford-on-Avon base.

Ales Joll, founder of Eat Square, said he was inspired to create the range after constantly being asked at markets if he had anything gluten-free.

In terms of difficulties during product development, Joll said: “It was mainly getting a decent pastry. Once we got the pastry sorted, everything else fell into place.”

Joll also announced that he was hoping to obtain two distribution centres by early spring, one in the Midlands and one in London, and was in talks to supply various Budgens, Londis and The Co-operative stores.

He added: “The more locals we can get into, the better really.”

Fans in high places

The pies will be officially launched on 6 February at an event in Bradford-on-Avon. Guests include MP for Chippenham Michelle Donelan and vegan snooker player Peter Ebdon.

According to Joll, Ebdon “really loves our vegan pie, we sent him one and he loved it”.

Also in attendance will be entrepreneur Alfie Best, whom Joll say has invested “substantially” in the business and who is supporting Eat Square’s efforts to expand.