Piebury Corner Owner Paul Campbell 

A POPULAR Arsenal pie shop has gone into liquidation as its owner warns more businesses will fold as the financial impact of the coronavirus crisis bites.

Piebury Corner, which has restaurants in Holloway Road and Kings Cross, will shut for good its owners announced today (Wednesday).

The business was started by couple Paul and Nicky Campbell when they set up a stall outside their home in Gillespie Road to sell pies to the passing Arsenal fans heading to the Emirates Stadium almost a decade ago.

The original stall became a Gooner institution as it lured fans in with pie puns and fun facts and two more sites in Holloway and Kings Cross saw the Campbells expand into fine dining and cocktails.

But with footfall in Kings Cross now allegedly down to 1 per cent of its pre-Covid figures and Holloway Road struggling, owner Paul Campbell decided to call it a day.

He told the Tribune: “It’s not only us. We have been fighting hand to mouth for a couple of years getting Kings Cross off the ground.

“We thought we had just turned a corner and then coronavirus stopped us in our tracks. I’m sure that when VAT returns are due and the furlough goes, more businesses will go.

“A lot of people outside of London don’t realise the effect of this working from home stuff. The hospitality industry is in a desperate state.”

He added: “We are running at a loss staying closed, to open would be an even bigger loss, we can’t afford this.”

There are scores of businesses that rely on the financial boost from Arsenal matchday footfall in the borough.

Mr Campbell said: “A lot of people are going to be upset. All I can say is, come to the area, socially distance safely and support all local pubs and restaurants that depend on matchday revenue. Support the guys that are struggling on. Everybody needs support.”

Piebury Corner has gone into voluntary liquidation but Mr Campbell has not ruled out the possibility of returning at a later date.

He said he may reopen the pop-up stall to service Arsenal fans on match days but only when the Emirates Stadium is about three-quarters full.

“We are gutted for everyone,” he added. “We have one foot in the grave, but we’re not completely buried.”