Address: 62 Blossom Street, York, YO24 1AP
Description
A black-and-white mosaic on a shop floor displays “W. Wright and Sons (York) LTD” in bold capital letters, encircled by a thin line border.
History
William Wright, a farmer’s son, founded the pork butcher firm W. Wright & Sons in York during the mid-1880s, with the first shop on Goodramgate.
Wrights grew into a beloved York institution, renowned for over 100 years for its meat, pastry businesses, and frozen food.
The company expanded across Yorkshire, opening branches in places like Scarborough, Skelton, and other locations within York including Bridge Street, Acomb, Clifton, Whip-ma-Whop-ma-gate, Blossom Street, and Nunnery Lane.
1985 – Colliergate premises Source: York Press
The shops were renowned for their Yorkshire patties, mutton and pea pies, pork pies, and “wonderful tomato sausages.” They also sold an egg and bacon pie, known as the “best hangover cure ever.”
Customers often queued outside, waiting for the latest delivery of freshly baked goods straight from the oven.
The interiors were bright and clean, with chrome counters and black and white tiled floors – in a very similar pattern to the Blossom Street ghost sign.
1950s – Queue outside of Wrights on Bridge Street Source: York Press
William Wright also served as the Lord Mayor of York from 1926 to 1927, while his sons, Fred, Charles, and Robert, continued his legacy at the various Wright locations.
Although the Wrights shops have now closed, this doorway mosaic remains on Blossom Street.
Another Wrights ghost sign hung from their old location on Bridge Street, but was removed in 2016.
Got thoughts or a story to share about this iconic sign? We’re all ears—drop your comments below and join the conversation!