WANSTEAD: New pie and mash shop to open in the High Street (From East London and West Essex Guardian Series)

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WANSTEAD: New pie and mash shop to open in the High Street

8:30am Friday 13th March 2009 in News By Jo Carter

PIE, mash and jellied eels are set to arrive on Wanstead High Street as a family-run business with traditional values attempts to beat the credit crunch.

June Robins, 71, owner of Robins Pie and Mash, is opening her fifth shop and believes the economic downturn has led to a return to tradition values.

“In this economic climate people are going back to pre-war ideas,” said Mrs Robins.

“People are looking after every penny, and pie and mash is coming back to the fore.

“Nourishing wholesome meals, fresh ingredients and a hot meal for £2.80 - you can’t get better than that.”

With the meat sourced from Scotland and delivered to A.G. Dennis butchers in Wanstead High Street, Mrs Robins is a firm believer in fresh ingredients.

“I would never serve or sell anything I wouldn’t eat myself,” she said.

“All the pies are made fresh every day and people can sit down and get a hot meal - pie, mash and liqueur.

“We supply West Ham Football Club on matchdays, and our pies are so popular we even sell them in Spain.”

However, the opening will be tinged with sadness, following the death of Wanstead Cllr Allan Burgess last month.

“I’m sad that Cllr Burgess won’t be around to see it,” said Mrs Robins.

“I knew him well and he wanted to be at the opening.”

Mrs Robins opened her first shop in Queens Road in Upton Park 43 years ago, and after moving to East Ham she opened shops in Basildon, Romford and Bow.

And with her traditional East End food, Mrs Robin’s business operates under traditional family values, with her grandson Edward becoming the fifth generation of her family working in the business.

“I have family members in every store, so I know everything is perfect,” she said.

Comments(9)

Claridger says...
10:17am Fri 13 Mar 09

Yummy! I cannot wait as it is always a problem to park near Walthamstow High Street these days. My friend informed me that the friendly Vicar of the Church on the Green lets people park in the Church car park which is handy and also on the front. This is real fast food in my eyes. I personally love the eels mash and liquor. I remember queuing up in Walthamstow Market as a boy with my Mother as she ordered a few live ones for Saturday tea. She use to prepare them herself in those days which took a bit of nerve!

I just wondered if they had thought of doing a 'vegetarian pie' to keep up with the times, as I know that alot of people are these days including a friend of mine who normally has to make do with a plate of mash and liquor only, which is a little unexciting for her.

It will certainly make a change from all the French themed eateries along there where people eat coffee and cake for breakfast!

I am saddened also that Councillor Burgess cannot be party to the opening as he was a staunch supporter of local businesses in the area and died recently having served the local community for many many years after a very long time serving the public in his capacity as a high ranking Officer in the Metropolitan Police. I am sure that he would have been at this opening had he still been around.

Mrs Robins certainly deserves a huge amount of congratulations for continuing her business at her age. She comes from the 'old school' of Londoners who work throughout their life as a contributor to London life, carrying on the good old London traditions. I would like to commend her and wish her every success and may the lashings of liquor overflow with the same exuberance.

I do hope we have a few Pearly Kings and Queens there?