A beloved pie and mash shop in Essex has plunged into liquidation after almost 100 years. On June 11, James David Robinson of Finn Associates was appointed to oversee the liquidation of Robins Pie & Mash in Chelmsford.
Liquidation is the legal process through which a business is dissolved. This typically involves selling the company's assets to raise funds, which are then used to settle debts owed to creditors and shareholders.
The pie and mash business, which was founded by Harry Robins in 1929, has been in the Robins family for five generations. It describes itself as a "traditional, family-run pie and mash business".
Five Generations of Family Tradition
The business was handed down to Harry's son William, known as "Binkles". William's daughter, June Robins, later took over the business at the age of 27. The traditional pie shop's website says, "In a work era dominated and controlled by men, June stood shoulder to shoulder with them proving women could raise a family, be a wife and own and run a business."
June worked day and night for 55 years till her passing in 2019, building a legacy. Her first shop was in Queens Road Market in Upton Park. She later opened a shop on High Street North, East Ham, where she served local East End customers and friends for 40 years. She opened branches throughout East London and Essex to offer her famous pie and mash and supplied supermarkets in the UK and abroad.
Quality Ingredients and Adaptations
The business only uses 100% Aberdeen Angus minced beef and fresh produce from New Spitalfields market in the recipe it has used for almost a century. It has, however, adapted to offer a vegan pie.
Mixed Reviews from Patrons
The business has received mixed reviews, with some patrons loving the offerings while others are disappointed. One patron wrote in a review of the shop in Southend: "I popped into Southend and was not aware of Robins Pie and Mash as they are in a side street. I remember Robins from the 70's when I use to live in East Ham... The pies and mash was served up and I was not disappointed."
The patron continued: "It was all so tasty I even ordered a takeaway after my meal to take home to the wife with a portion of Liquor."
Another said: "As an original eastender from Bethnal Green I know pie and mash. It wasn't the first time I've been to Robins and the other times have been acceptable though a little disappointing."
