A man who has been a regular at a pie and mash shop in Deptford for more than 50 years has said he is gutted to see it go.

Paul Norcott, 54, grew up in Deptford and would often go into A.J Goddard on the high street during his school lunch breaks.

He now tries to visit once a week, but his final trip will be on October 7, the working class café’s final trading day.

“I am going to take beers down,” he told News Shopper. “We will have a little drink and go out with a bang.”

Paul’s nan used to work at the old AJ Goddard in Evelyn Street, before the family moved the business to the high street in 1964.

He said: “I started going down as a baby. My nan worked upstairs packing crisps. I just can’t believe it is closing. The high street is dead. People don’t have a clue what pie and mash is anymore.”

Paul now lives in Chislehurst and said he remembers the café being full to the brim back in the day.

“It was rammed,” he said. “We always went in as kids. Nine times of ten we would choose Goddard’s at lunch for some pie and mash.

“It is poor man’s gourmet food. The shop has not really changed at all since I was a kid. I’m going to miss it.”

Manager Simon Clarke, 48, who has worked in the café for 22 years and gets up at 5am, six days a week to keep it running.

News Shopper:

He told News Shopper his clientele is nothing compared to what it used to be and admitted he will have a tear in his eye once it finally closes.

READ M0RE - A.J Goddard Pie and Mash in Deptford to close after 128 years

Walls are leaking and the repair work is unaffordable.

Paul, who has become friends with Simon, said: “I feel sorry for him. He won’t know what to do with himself. I am hoping he gets his relocation. “

The loyal customer fears the “atmosphere will be gone” in Deptford once the old café fades into memory in under two weeks time.