A traditional pie and mash shop in south London will close its doors after 116 years of being run by the same family.
Harringtons Eel And Pie House on Tooting’s Selkirk Road said it would be closing its doors after more than a century of cooking the traditional food.
It announced on social media: “As you can imagine it's not been an easy decision for myself and the family to come to.
“In fact it's been very upsetting when it's been in the family 116 years, but unfortunately as a family we've decided we need to move forward, so unfortunately the property is up for sale and once it has sold we will be closing our doors.
“But until we have sold we are still open and selling hot pie and mash for all our beloved customers to enjoy.”
Customers reacted with dismay, with some sharing stories of their families eating at the establishment.
One said: “My grandad would stop by whilst out in his black cab and bring it home as a surprise on many occasions.”
Another added: “That is incredibly upsetting news, our family have always visited your pie and mash shop, it was my nan's favourite meal!
“I even trek all the way down from Birmingham now to have a delicious pie and mash!”
Campaigners have called for the traditional grub to be given protected status amid concerns that London’s “original fast food” is rapidly disappearing.
Conservative former minister Richard Holden and producers have made representations to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) about an application for Traditional Speciality Guaranteed (TSG) status for the dish.
Research in 2017 showed the number of traditional London pie and mash shops had halved in 20 years from 57 to 27.
The dish, complete with jellied eels and liquor parsley sauce, was popularised in the eastern docklands area of the capital during the Victorian era.
The first recorded shop was Henry Blanchard’s at 101 Union Street in Southwark in 1844.
