An iconic piece of cockney history is set to close its doors soon, as the Manze’s pie and mash shop in Deptford will shut in March of 2025. The announcement comes in the wake of owner George Mascall preparing to retire after working there for over forty years. Fret not, though – there’s well over a year to bid adieu to the Deptford culinary institution!
George Mascall is the grandson of the original proprietor Michele ‘Michael’ Manze, who started the business after emigrating over from Italy in the late 1800s. Manze originally started with an ice cream shop before moving into the then-booming pie industry. The shop has remained in the family ever since. And bar some new gadgets and technology to make the kitchen work a bit easier, everything has stayed the same.
The recipes are the same and everything is still made by hand, fresh every day. The most striking feature that has remained the same, though, is the decor. Manze’s Deptford still boasts the same trademark tiling, marble tables, and wooden benches. And these aren’t facsimiles intended to reproduce the original look. They’re the real deal, genuine, original features! In fact, the store recently received Grade II listed status. It’s a real slice of history and tradition…
When Manze’s Deptford closes in March next year, it will mark 45 years that Mascall has worked in the business. It will also mark 111 years since the shop was originally opened. Which, if you ask us, is a pretty impressive run. We’d sure be ready to retire after that many years of pie-making and potato-mashing!
While Mascall is stepping down, it’s unclear what the next owner will do. Maybe the Manze’s Deptford pie legacy will live on! In the absence of Mascall’s ownership, several other Manze’s locations remain open around London – run by distant relatives of Mascall. These include locations in sites such as Tower Bridge and Peckham.
Head on down to Manze’s Deptford to try some truly historic grub before it’s gone for good.
📍 Find it at 204 Deptford High Street, SE8 3PR.
🚇 The nearest station is Deptford.
