Le Marché - A Family Firm

Here’s a story about two of our wonderful staff - Martin Fry, 73, and his grandson Robert Fry. Martin has spent a lifetime in the trade and started working with us six years ago. He still pops in for the occasional shift and introduced us to his grandson, Robert Fry - whom we call ‘Tash’ - who rapidly worked his way up to the post of Warehouse Manager.

Martin Fry (left) and Robert Fry, a.k.a. ‘Tash’

Martin : I’ve retired three or four times – unofficially or officially, I don’t know. I am 73 and still here. I have worked with Marcus ever since I retired, about five or six years ago. I enjoy the fun – we have a right giggle.

Tash: My grandad trained me. He bought me into Le Marché, trained me up, taught me confidence. He can talk to anyone - even in the street. I used to be shy. I have learned a lot of passion from him. I never used to care about a lot of things. I have been here five years now. I started making boxes on the back of a van to packing. From packing I went to checker. Then to assistant manager then from that to warehouse manager.

Martin: I remember once, years ago, delivering to a restaurant down the back alley. It was dark and I walked down there and fell down a hole. They were digging the foundations. I sued them and I won. But had to have an artificial knee.

Tash: We see each other every day. Even though he has practically left my grandad is so engrained in this place. Every day he asks me what’s going on at work.

Martin: I am 73 and still here. Marcus [the boss] is friendly – you can have a laugh and joke with him. That’s the main thing. He’s not like a manager; he’s like one of the workers. I like the banter and how the produce changes monthly. You name it I can cook it. I like doing a Sunday roast. Tash loves it, too.