The Wright stuff - Folk Features

Wright’s Café in Bury St Edmunds may have to wait a bit longer before customers can eat in again but, meanwhile, regulars have been praising owner Adam Wright for being an ‘absolute hero’ throughout the pandemic, scaling up to double the size and serving a decent coffee! General Manager Emily Welton would agree with all of that…

At the beginning of 2020 we were still doing eat in, in our tiny little café on St John’s Street, Bury St Edmunds. As was the same with everyone, we had a slight panic when the news of the lockdown and Covid hit and we closed – not knowing what to do. However, Adam is incredibly adaptable and within a week had sorted out a plan – serving toasties from the door and delivering them around town by bike.

The past year has just been one of learning and adapting to every situation in hand. But honestly, we have been so lucky. As a business that was already suited and set up for take outs it meant the transition was so easy for us. And I think because we adapted so early on, we gathered momentum and, also, customers. I think for a time we were the only place in town serving coffee, so became a bit of a hub for all the coffee lovers. We adapted so well, got a phone line, built a hatch, started doing hamper deliveries. Anything that we could think of really!

I think Adam has been a bit of a hero! Wright’s has given customers a sense of normality amongst all the madness. We have so many regulars who we love to see, and I think those who live alone or were suffering with the lockdown felt like they found friends in us! Also, as an employer, Adam has been a hero, too. He has looked out for all his staff throughout, giving them all the hours he could and maintaining a safe and welcoming workplace. We have barely had to furlough staff which has been amazing for everyone!

Chef Rosie (left) and General Manager Emily (right)

It does seem a bit crazy to move premises in this climate, but Adam loves a challenge and, as we were too small to reopen in St John’s Street, it was certainly the right time for us to up and move. We could then take on eat in when the restrictions eased but also continue to serve take out. We also wanted to be in the centre of town.

It is so nice to be part of a hugely successful independent business. And to see more independent businesses doing well, too, is so lovely. We would all love Bury to become more independent and varied and it’s exciting to be part of the movement.

I think we just provide high quality ingredients at a really good price. We keep some constant and change others, so those who love getting the familiar are in their comfort zone, but there is also always something new to try. Our chefs are just amazing – they are just always coming up with new and wonderful flavours, always coming up with different flavours for the salad bar and baking amazing cakes. Rosie, our head chef, is the most amazing baker and her cinnamon buns have gained a cult following!

The summer is looking busy and super exciting for us. We have loads of functions booked in with our new vintage horse box! And we will also be fully open as a restaurant then, with a bar, cocktails, draught beer, brunch and evening menus. It is going to be so much fun. We can’t wait for what the future will bring.