Report this comment
  • "What's with the pie and mash shops in Southend? There's loads of them."
  • This field is mandatory
  • This field is mandatory

  • Please note we will not accept reports with HTML tags or URLs in them.


  • Enter the above word in the box below

Please be fair, courteous and respectful to the views of others so we can build a vibrant community in a safe online environment. You are personal liable for your comments and action will be taken against anyone who offends, ridicules or posts malicious and damaging views. If you wish to complain, please contact us.

Rivals dish up a pie and mash war

10:10am Friday 13th April 2012 in Echo News By Chloe Chapman

Pie wars - Cassandra Corallini with the Clarence restaurant’s version of traditional pie, mash and liquor Pie wars - Cassandra Corallini with the Clarence restaurant’s version of traditional pie, mash and liquor

AN ESTABLISHED Southend restaurant has declared pie-and-mash war on a new rival.

The Clarence Restaurant, in Clarence Street, is serving up the popular East End dish in response to news the Robins Famous Pie & Mash chain, is opening a branch next door.

The Illford-based company is converting a former Christmas gift shop after getting planning permission from Southend Council last December.

At the time, neighbouring businesses strongly opposed the application.

Clarence restaurant owner Cassandra Corallini, 40, gathered a 150-name petition against the plans.

She said: “Since then, I have had to start doing traditional pie and mash, because I wouldn’t want people coming into my restaurant and then going next door because I don’t offer it.

“It’s a route I didn’t really want to go down, but we have to face up to the competition. It’s the way it is now.”

The Clarence, which specialises in traditional English food, including roast dinners, did already offer home-made steak and kidney pies, but has added the Cockney pie and mash as a warning shot to its new rival.

Mrs Corallini, who has run the Clarence for the past 15 years, added: “Everyone who signed the petition said it was stupid to allow it there because it was literally going to be next door.

“I obviously have my own regular customers and I hope they will be loyal to me, but we really don’t need the added competition. In this day and age, we are struggling for trade and need extra customers coming into town, not more businesses.

“A lot of other things have not helped, including the price of parking. It’s just easier now for people to go to places such as Basildon instead.

“I’m quite nervous about them opening. We’ve been here a long time.”

Robins Famous Pie & Mash already runs successful shops in Basildon, Bethnal Green, East Ham, Ilford, Romford and Wanstead, and also supplies traditional East End fare, in frozen form, to ex-pats in Spain.

The Echo approached Robins Famous Pie & Mash for a comment, but received no response.

Local Businesses

About cookies

We want you to enjoy your visit to our website. That's why we use cookies to enhance your experience. By staying on our website you agree to our use of cookies. Find out more about the cookies we use.

I agree