YP Comment: Sir Ken Morrison and a priceless legacy

A billionaire grocer whose name became indelibly associated with this county because of his vision and values, it’s only because of his insatiable work ethic that Morrisons became one of this county’s largest employers – tens of thousands of loyal staff who owe their livelihoods to this entrepreneur.

Yet much of his success derives from the fact that Sir Ken never forgot his family roots after ably assisting his father on the family’s market stall in Bradford at the age of nine. This apprenticeship and face-to-face contact with customers taught him that shoppers sought both value-for-money and a personal service, two traits which he worked hard to maintain when the company expanded nationwide and floated on the Stock Exchange.

Never afraid to speak his mind, not least when he feared his legacy was being undermined by his successors who were slow to respond to the profound changes that were taking place within the retail sector, he was a man of humanity and gentle humour who made it his business to know his staff.

He was also at his happiest when on the shop floor. Though the anecdotes are legion, this one vignette encapsulates Sir Ken’s attention to detail. Visiting a North Yorkshire store, he received a less than helpful answer when he politely asked a newly-hired assistant where he could find the jam. Yet he made it his business to ensure that the shelf-stacker then had the requisite training – and expressed delight when he returned a week later to ask the self-same individual where he could find the jam.

Even in retirement, the gentleman grocer still expected the highest standards and was a regular presence at his stores. Without Sir Ken, Yorkshire would be a much poorer place and our thoughts are with his family as they reflect on a career in which Sir Ken – Mr Morrisons – regarded his staff and shoppers as equals to his boardroom colleagues.

Brexit: Who speaks for North?

NOW THAT MPs have endorsed the Parliamentary process that will, in all likelihood, enable Theresa May to trigger Article 50, the priority now is ensuring that the Government secures the best possible Brexit deal for the whole country.

It’s why Mrs May travelled to Scotland 48 hours after becoming PM – she had used her Downing Street acceptance speech to underline her commitment to the United Kingdom – and why she has regular talks with the leaders of the devolved nations, including a summit in Cardiff on Monday. The regret is that the PM’s aides say the Tory leader is too busy to consult political and business leaders across the North on their wishes. That might be so but Yorkshire’s economy compares more than favourably with Scotland and there’s a growing perception, despite the good intentions underpinning her new Industrial Strategy, that the Government does not sufficiently value the importance of this region.

As the Government prepares to publish its White Paper on Brexit today, Mrs May should consult widely rather than rely on the feedback provided by Andrew Percy, the Northern Powerhouse Minister, and other trusted lieutenants. That said, Yorkshire’s devolution deadlock does not help. Even though Brexit Secretary David Davis is planning a major event in his home city of York, it appears this is predominantly for the benefit of metro-mayors. If this is so, this county will not be represented, therefore begging the question: Who is speaking for the North?

Tadcaster bridges divide

MORE than a year after Tadcaster’s river bridge was washed away in the Yorkshire floods, it was heartening that Theresa May acknowledged the forbearance and resilience of local residents at Prime Minister’s Questions ahead of a new crossing being opened imminently.

Despite the inconvenience of long diversions in order to cross the Wharfe to get from one side of the town to the other, their patience and good humour has been a credit to Tadcaster – further evidence that adversity invariably brings out the best in people. When the bridge reopens, there’s no excuse for visitors not reacquainting themselves with this market town and supporting its shops and businesses.