A TRADESMAN of more than 20 years has put down his tools and has turned his hand to pie and mash.

Jonny Malone begun work as a bricklayer aged 18. Now 38, the Southend resident is forging a new path in the food and hospitality industry.

Three weeks ago Mr Malone opened Brickie’s Pie & Mash in Hamstel Road, Southend.

It has always been a lifelong goal of mine, to open the store,” he explained. “I done trade to make a living, keep afloat and did fairly well out of for a while but unfortunately I injured my shoulder.

“After that I thought I have got to change trades now while I’m still young, before it’s too late.

“This opportunity arose out of nowhere because the shopfront I took over shut in the pandemic,” he added.

“It was an unfortunate situation, but it was an opportunity for myself, meaning was I able to do what I had always wanted to do.”

The ex-brickie says he was torn between opening a traditional greasy spoon café or the pie and mash store but opted for the later due to the ‘story behind the food’.

“I know there are a lot of Londoners in the area, people who have fond memories of the food, it’s quite a family tradition,” he said.

“I like food where there is a story behind it, a lot of people have good memories of it or it means something to them.

“I have had tonnes of Londoners, people who grew up in the east end, come in and say they were brought up on pie and mash.”

His new store has so far proved a hit with locals with many travelling from far and wide to try the traditional working-class food, originating in the docks of east London.

The first stores selling the hallmark dish date back to the early 1800s, but market place trading of the food was common much earlier.

“People have loved it so far, everyone is leaving empty plates. We have been very busy so far so I can’t grumble,” Mr Malone said.