Islington South and Finsbury MP Emily Thornberry tonight joined the hundreds of people bemoaning the closure of M. Manze, saying: “It’s part of what Islington represents.”

As revealed by the Gazette this evening, the Chapel Market pie and mash shop, which opened in 1911, is set to close later this year due to spiralling business rates.

And Ms Thornberry, the MP of 12 years, told the Gazette: “It’s more than sad. I’m so disappointed. Manze’s is part of what Islington is. It’s a restaurant for all communities.

“I really don’t want to see it close because of everything it represents. People have been going there for years. I want Islington to be a place for the older, established communities as well.”

She continued: “Upper Street is an example of how things are changing. I first moved here 25 years ago and it was a very different place. Where do you get needle and cotton in Islington these days?

“Those basics are very difficult to find. A lot of shops don’t represent family life on a low or medium income.

“Some of the changes in Islington are for the better – but not all of them. And seeing a traditional shop like Manze close down is awful.”