ARMENTS HAS HAD LOTS TO CELEBRATE RECENTLY
For more than 100 years Arments has been at the very heart of the local community. We served much-needed comfort food to local customers during both World Wars. And our delicious pie mash has helped to fuel countless ‘Best of British’ bashes. From the Festival of Britain to the 2012 London Olympics - Arments has been delivering delicious feel-good food to Londoners and pie lovers everywhere.
Over the last few years, we’ve been thrilled to receive some high-profile awards – as voted for by our wonderful customers. And in 2014 we reached an incredible milestone - 100 years in business!
ARMENTS COURT
In 2013 we won a public vote to have a building named after us. ‘Arments Court’ was erected as part of an initiative entitled ‘Put it on the map’. Officially opened on October 3rd, 2013 it’s situated on the new Aylesbury development. The unveiling was followed by a Pie, Mash and Fizz reception in the Resource Centre and invitees included the establishment’s new residents.
Arments Blue Plaque Unveiling
In 2013 we were delighted to be nominated for – and win - a Blue Plaque. The prestigious Blue Plaque Scheme is run jointly by Southwark Heritage, Southwark Council and Southwark News – and just one plaque is awarded each year.
We faced stiff competition in the nominations – with Jack Jones, Ida Lupino and Southwark Town Hall also in the running. So, we were surprised and overwhelmed to find out not only had we won, but by a landslide 3,552 votes! This coveted award is all the more special to us since it was all down to the support of our customers.
The Plaque was unveiled on March 6th, 2014 by Millwall footballer Jake Goodman – who was joined by our special friend, Cameron. Guests enjoyed pie and bubbly on what turned out to be a glorious sunny day - thank you to everyone who joined us. The sign now proudly adorns our building, acting as a marker of our long history.
Arments 100-Year Anniversary 2014
It’s hard to believe that the first Arments shop opened for business in 1914 at 386 Walworth Road. We were incredibly proud to receive a letter from Buckingham Palace commemorating this momentous occasion.
To mark our centenary on April 14th, 2014 we invited all our customers to join us in a fabulous fun packed day of entertainment. The day was kicked off in official style, by the Rt. Hon Harriet Harmon who acknowledged Arments 100 years’ service to the local community.
Local DJs Dave Collins and Steve Furneau turned up the volume throughout the day, while crooner Andrew Bourn of Jack Pack fame injected some swing into the party. Deputy Mayor of Southwark Cllr Sunil Chopra was also on hand to draw our raffle tickets. But perhaps the most unforgettable highlight of the day was watching as two handsome grey horses - Otto and Bullet - paraded the street pulling the old Arments delivery van.
Thank you to all of you who managed to join us on the day. And if ‘Del Boy’ Maurice Canham tried to flog you some dodgy watches or a timeshare apartment in Peckham we apologise!
ARMENTS - STILL
MAKING NEWS
We thought our centenary year was busy – but recently we’ve had even more reasons to celebrate…
In September 2014 we were invited to the premiere of ‘Arments – The First 100 Years’ – at the Shortwave Cinema. The hour-long documentary took local filmmaker Michael Holland over two years to make. It tells the story of Arments through the years, its customers and the traditions around our famous London Pie & Mash.
In 2015 our pie & mash shop on Westmoreland Road became part of a movie set, appearing in a music video for indie band the Maccabees. Entitled ‘Elephant Days’ the film was designed to show a snapshot of the life and people of the Elephant and Castle area.
We attended the film’s premiere at Cineworld, Haymarket on October 12th, 2015 as VIP guests. After meeting the filmmakers and band members we were so proud to see some of our incredible customers captured on film. To top it all, we were whisked off to an after-show cocktail party – the end to a glamorous occasion we’ll never forget.
Arments Winners of the Love London Awards 2016
We were so thrilled to win the Time Out Love London Awards having been the runner’s up in 2015! A huge thank you for everyone who took the time to vote us the best thing about their neighbourhood.
Finally, if you’re interested in the history of Walworth check out this recent publication of Walworth Through Time and Walworth Memories. They are not only a fascinating take on local history – but it includes references to Arments contribution to the community over the past 100 years.
