One of London’s oldest pie and mash shops is closing down after 128 years because of vegans, its fuming manager has claimed.

AJ Goddard’s Pie and Mash has been serving up traditional pie, mash and liquor to the people of Deptford in south-east London since ol’ Queen Victoria sat on the throne.

But now manager Simon Clarke says he’s going to have to shut up shop after years of dwindling revenues.

AJ Goddard’s Pie and Mash is closing its Deptford shop after 128 years (Picture: News Shopper / SWNS)

He’s putting the blame on gentrification in the area and the trend of people becoming vegans.


Simon said loyal regulars, including Professor Green, have been coming for more than 50 years and travel from as far as Wales for his shop’s £3.50 pie and mash deal.



But his once booming trade has dwindled as the area underwent significant social change since the turn of the century.

Simon said: ‘I don’t know if it’s the oldest but it’s definitely one of the oldest.

‘People that have moved in around here over the last few years are definitely into fad diets.

Simon Clarke said the locals of Deptford no longer want to eat pie and mash (Picture: News Shopper / SWNS)

‘I’ve had a few people come in off the streets asking if I do vegan pies.

‘It’s like some kind of bad joke – we’re a traditional pie and mash shop, of course we don’t sell vegan pies.

‘Some people just come in just to be nosey because these old places like this you don’t get anymore.

‘Someone asked for breakfast but I can’t as you can’t call it a pie and mash shop then.’

Simon said Idris Elba, John Ridley, Robson Green, Larry Lamb, Professor Green and Bake Off’s Mel and Sue have all used his traditional shop for filming.

His loyal customers have all but left the area as it became gentrified (Picture: News Shopper / SWNS)

Its rich local history is shown on its walls with old photographs of dockyard and train workers who used to queue up for pies.

He said: ‘The only thing that’s missing is the sawdust on the floor. Everyone’s moved away and my clientele is not here no more.

‘The queue was hanging out the door but now it’s dribs and drabs.

‘Now half the people who walk past the shop don’t know what pie and mash is.’

He said just 20 years ago the working class would still queue up outside, but now they can’t sell enough pies to keep the shop open.

He plans to put down some sawdust and hold a party for his regulars when he serves up his last serving on October 7.

Simon, who has been getting up at 5am, six days a week to catch a train from Bromley to prepare the food, plans to leave London and open up a new shop in Kent.

He said: ‘I must admit there are mornings I wish I didn’t get out of bed because my clientele has disappeared. It is not what it used to be.

‘We still have a good laugh with customers. Most of the regulars I class as family and friends.



‘They have got to know me and I have got to know them. It is wicked.’

The history of Goddard’s goes back to 1890 when it began trading in Evelyn Street before relocating to the high street in 1964.

Simon added: ‘It’s going to be a sad day when we close. I will have a tear in my eye, there’s nothing I can do.

‘I think I might throw a party and go out with a bang.’

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