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Wrights “bakery legend” Maz retires after 28 years

Kind-hearted Tunstall “legend” Marion Taylor has retired after almost three decades of serving Wrights customers, with an emotional farewell from colleagues and friends.

Marion, known as Maz, received a double send-off marking 28 years working across several Wrights bakery stores in Stoke-on-Trent. As Wrights’ current longest serving member of staff, Marion received a presentation from chairman Peter Wright followed by a farewell gathering with colleagues and customers at the Tunstall store where she has worked since 1993.

“Wrights has been a part of my life for 28 years and a part of my family’s lives for many more,” said Maz whose mother Vera used to bring a Wrights meat and potato pie home every day after work.

“I’ve loved working across the Wrights stores, meeting so many people, working with a wonderful team and being part of a business which has family at its heart. I’ve never not wanted to go to work and never wanted a day off. I’m going to miss everyone terribly but they’ve all been so kind and incredibly generous giving me a wonderful send off.”

Customer Andy Dean, co-owner of Oasis Travel based in Tower Square, has visited Wrights Tunstall store every day of his working life for 23 years and describes Marion as “an absolute legend” and “the mother you never had”.

“We set our business up in 1998 and every day since, I call in to say hello, buy myself a coffee and a pie or a salad and chat to the team,” he said.

“Covid has recently been a nightmare for all local businesses but it’s been real comfort to go into our Wrights bakery, see the smiles of Maz and the team and have a chat with people who care. Maz is one of a kind who we’ll all really miss - but I’ve seen her training the next generation so they won’t go far wrong with her advice ringing in their ears!”

Andy joined customers and Wrights team members, including retail operations supervisor Pauline Scally and retail multi-site operations manager Julie Brereton, in a celebratory send off with flowers, balloons, an afternoon tea and spa voucher and an apron signed by staff from all 15 of Wrights stores.

Julie added: “We will all miss Marion’s kind heart, good intentions, dedication and her organisational skills. We know she feels sad to leave us, but she really deserves the rest and the chance to look after herself for a change!”

Wrights Tunstall store is one of 15 independent Wrights bakeries across the North West. The company has been a local employer in Stoke-on-Trent and Crewe since the business began in 1926 when Jack and Lizzie Wright sold pies to neighbours from their Stoke-on-Trent doorstep. Based across two manufacturing sites in Crewe, the company’s 600 strong workforce manufactures and distributes savoury products, confectionery and ready meals into retail and hospitality sectors.

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