Diespeker is proud to be associated with one of the best-known names in delicatessens in London – if not the world.

Established in 1944, Panzer’s Delicatessen is known across the world, a must-visit for tourists but, more importantly, a source for Londoners of delicious delicacies, fresh produce and indulgent luxuries not widely available.

The founders were an Austrian refugee, the Panzer whose name graces the shopfront, and Walter Vogl from Czechoslovakia (now Czechia and Slovakia) and the first customers were mainly from the Jewish community who flocked to enjoy the bagels and smoked salmon.

Panzer’s stayed with the Vogl family until 2014, when Walter’s son Peter decided it was time to sell. Step forward David Josephs, who took over in 2015. David and his family had been regular customers of the deli for decades and he was loath to see the business lose its integrity. Indeed he went further, developing Panzer’s with a sympathetic modernisation in 2017 which saw a sushi bar and juice counter installed, and the introduction of a wider range of speciality goods.

For Panzer’s eightieth birthday in 2024, David undertook another refurbishment, which is where Diespeker comes in, creating and supplying a bespoke resin terrazzo for the seamless floor and store fixtures.

Creating a client’s perfect terrazzo is an art in itself. Sometimes the magic comes first time, but on this occasion it took around 20 samples before David was satisfied. And it was definitely worth the effort.

The design consists of a mixture of pink, cream and green chippings in a blush base – perhaps a little reminiscent of the salmon that Panzer’s is famous for! Once polished and sealed, the design gave the floor a classic yet contemporary appearance. One elegant feature is the Panzer’s name picked out in waterjet cut brass at the entrance. In addition, brass strips were embedded in the ramp leading into the shop, both an attractive detail and providing added slip resistance.

The cashier and deli counter were fully clad in the same terrazzo, including down stands and worktops. Further waterjet cut brass details included edging for the countertops and sides, and strips where customer baskets are placed at the cashier counter.

A little extra work was undertaken by Diespeker in the Spring of 2025, including additional brass edging to counters plus a new external shopfront plinth in the same terrazzo.

While Panzer’s didn’t completely close during the refurbishment period, it reopened fully in January 2025 to great celebration and fantastic reviews. One article in the Financial Times refers to David’s excitement about his “…new state-of-the-art refrigeration units (“a 40 per cent improvement in efficiency”), Diespeker terrazzo floors or his dream one day to take over the building next door, currently occupied by the only bank branch in the country he fears will never close.” (In Praise of Panzer’s, the poshest grocer’s in London).

Diespeker is proud to be associated with this bastion of quality produce and customer service and to have contributed to the refurbishment. Here’s to the next 80 years!

Detail

Flooring

• Poured 10-12mm thick seamless, polished, and sealed Diespeker bespoke-made resin-based terrazzo

Countertops and cladding

• Template, supply and fix bespoke-made resin 20mm thick terrazzo worktop and cladding
• 3600mm x 1900mm x 350/500mm
• Cladding on all exposed edges 920mm high
• Shopfront plinth
• Mitred edges
• Skirting detail
• Brass detail

Photography: Giles Christopher • Commercial Photographer in London and Surrey