Natalie Wright is owner of Wright’s Fruit And Veg in Oaklands Road, which was founded by her grandfather 90 years ago.

There can’t be many families who have fruit and vegetables in their blood like the Wrights do, with four generations of the family having worked on their market stall.

Patrick Wright opened the first stall outside the post office in Oaklands Road 90 years ago, which he ran with his wife Rose. Shortly afterwards he opened a second stall outside The Crown pub in Cricklewood Broadway.

The business has been passed down the family, first to Patrick’s father Michael, and is now owned by Michael’s daughter Natalie. And while Natalie and her sister Carrie Wright continue to work on the stall in Oaklands Road, just as their sibling Lindsey used to, they are joined by Natalie’s teenage niece Lilly who combines weekends on the market with her college studies.

Natalie Wright with her father

“It’s not just about the fruit and veg, it’s about people and being part of the community,” she says.

“You’re part of people’s lives, seeing people every day, seeing their children grow up.”

Wright’s Fruit And Veg has the same ethos it did 90 years ago, selling fresh produce every day, as well as trees and wreaths at Christmas time.

The stall’s family ethos continues with Carl and Brighton, who have worked on the stall for 30 years between them and run it with Natalie. Or as Natalie puts it: “This is not just a business, the stall is part of our family.”

Patrick Wright, who began the business 90 years ago

She adds: “Originally Grandad used to go to buy fresh fruit and veg from Covent Garden.

“When my dad was 14 he worked with my grandad and nan. He had three sisters, and two of them worked on the stall as well.

“I was sweeper-upper at the age of eight, and I remember being 10 when Grandad had me selling oranges. Now when I’m on the stall I feel like the oldest Saturday girl in town!”

Brighton and Carl on the stall

We will be focusing on a variety of local businesses over the coming months, helping our community to shop safe and shop local.

If you want to nominate a local firm which deserves support, or if you run a local independent business and want to tell your story, get in touch by emailing TransformingBX@barnet.gov.uk

And you can read about other businesses across the borough here.

To help keep everyone safe, as of 5 November the new national government restrictions have required all non-essential businesses and venues to close. If you are visiting Cricklewood for essential activity, please remember ‘hands, face, space’ – wash your hands, wear a face covering, and keep a two-metre distance from people you don’t live with. If you have any symptoms of COVID-19, stay at home and get a test. Visit the government website to see the full restrictions currently in place.