Poll: Family-run pie and mash shop closes after 20 years in Dagenham
Staff members Eileen Boreham and Maggie Morgan outside Roys Pie and Mash shop. - Credit: Archant
A family-run pie and mash shop has closed after 20 years of feeding the people of Dagenham.
Maggie Morgan and Eileen Boreham serve up their last pie and mash dish. - Credit: Archant
Roys Pie and Mash, on Station Parade, served its final customer yesterday, much the to sadness of customers and staff alike.
Owner Perry Horton began working with his father - who gave the shop its name - at the age of 10, and insists the decision was a tough one to make.
“The final day was such a sad occasion, I couldn’t even bear to be in the shop,” he said.
“I’ve got a lot of great memories from Dagenham and we’ve had a great response from the locals over the years.
Do you like pie and mash? - Credit: Archant
“Some come in on a daily basis and we’ve become quite close, but most of our customers are quite old-school and ultimately we’re not replacing them.
“Trade’s gradually been falling away and higher rents and more restrictions mean it’s just not viable any more.”
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Roy initially launched his business in Upton Park’s Queens Market 50 years ago, before moving into Dagenham in 1994.
After helping his dad out at the weekends and during the summer holidays through his teenage years, Perry joined the business as a full-time member of staff aged 22.
Although still delivering to the borough from his remaining shop in Hornchurch, the 53-year-old
admits the decreasing popularity of the traditional east end food has proved critical for many shops.
He added: “Pie and mash doesn’t really travel that far, it’s only really sold in a 20-mile east London radius so we’ve been hit harder than most.
“We had hoped that the David Beckham effect might bring it back into fashion, but ultimately it’s not as popular as it used to be.”
Did you visit Roys Pie and Mash shop over the years? Are you sad to see it go?
Send your thoughts, memories and pictures to mark.shales@archant.co.uk or call 020 8477 3824.
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