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A mobile trailer with an interesting livery promoting a delicacy which might not be to everyone’s taste – jellied eels.  However, we see the firm of Michele Manze does meat and fruit pies as well, which may be a tasty alternative and his secret liquor ingredient is said to be second to none in the world of parsley sauce. Prices denote a pre-decimalised time, with 1/6d for a jar of eels or a meat pie for 3/-.  Our trailer is registered OFH 45, so certainly well established.

In fact the history behind M Manze , the founder of the business, is fascinating. Michele Manze was just 3 years old when his parents came to Britain from Ravello in Southern Italy seeking a better life. Like so many in their position, they worked hard.  In 1902, when he was 27, Michele bought his father-in-law’s pie and mash shop in Bermondsey and it is still going strong, over 100 years later. It is not only frequented by the rich and famous but as a London landmark, it has also featured in films and on TV. The Manze empire grew and even today, there are three thriving pie & mash shops serving this traditional British delicacy. His flagships shop remains on Tower Bridge Road and there is also one on Peckham High Street, immortalised with our mobile trailer; and a third on in Sutton in Surrey. And, with modern technology and delivery options you can order from anywhere in the UK for a chilled delivery!

Our M Manze mobile trailer is painted in dark green with the same colour to chassis and wheels. The interior of the trailer is bright yellow.  A highly decorative piece of artwork sees the slippery creature itself curving round the wheel arch.  A roof board is also moulded in dark green with gold and white lettering. This vehicle would look equally at home in a London street market diorama or along the promenade of a seaside town.