Pie and mash shops in Basildon and Southend have rallied around a campaign which could see the cockney classic given the same protected status as Cornish pasties.

The owners of Stacey’s Pie and Mash, located on Timberlog Lane, and Brickie’s Pie and Mash, located in the Victoria Shopping Centre, have backed the movement spearheaded by Basildon and Billericay MP Richard Holden and Robins Pie and Mash, in Basildon town centre.

The campaign is calling for the traditional dish to benefit from the same protection granted to Cornish pasties and Bramley Apples, which means authentic ingredients and cooking methods must be used. 

Great idea - Terry McDowell with daughter Kari-LynGreat idea - Terry McDowell with daughter Kari-Lyn (Image: Michael Robinson)


Owner of Stacey’s, Terry McDowell, hailed the efforts to recognise the British staple as “lovely” and called the move important for the future of pie and mash shops.

He said: “It’s a way of life for people. I remember the days I would have 40 people queuing up.

“It’s part of our heritage. Eating habits have changed, it suffers because there is too much competition for pie and mash now.

“I think it would help protect the businesses that are doing it, and help them for the future. I think a lot of people look back on it with a lot of fondness.

Pie and mash - The shop has backed Richard Holden's calls for pie and mash to get protected statusPie and mash - The shop has backed Richard Holden's calls for pie and mash to get protected status (Image: Michael Robinson) Tucking in - Customers dining at Stacey'sTucking in - Customers dining at Stacey's (Image: Michael Robinson)

Five generations of Terry’s family have headed up pie and mash shops from Dagenham to Basildon, and he believes his shop is the oldest in the town.

Mr Holden debated the issue in the House of Commons last week and hopes other MPs will join the campaign. 

Really welcome - Jonny hopes the campaign worksReally welcome - Jonny hopes the campaign works (Image: Michael Robinson)

Jonny Malone, owner of Brickie’s, said he was pleasantly surprised to see the issue debated and thinks it’s important to preserve one of Britain’s oldest fast foods.

He said: “I think it’s one of the most unique dishes. It’s a poor man’s meal and people survived on it during the war, there is a lot of history behind it.

“I will be backing it most definitely. I think everyone in the pie and mash community will.”