Celebrating Mark Savage: 42 Years of Fish, Chips, Friendship and Family at Wetherby Whaler
After more than four decades with Wetherby Whaler, Senior Manager Mark Savage is preparing for his next chapter. For anyone who has worked with Mark, been trained by him, shared a shift with him, or been served by him over the years, it is impossible to sum up his contribution in just a few words.
Mark has been part of the Wetherby Whaler story since 5 January 1984. What began as a short favour soon became a 42-year journey filled with hard work, laughter, loyalty, leadership and a lifelong love of Yorkshire’s finest fish and chips.
As Mark reflects on his time with the business, one thing is clear: Wetherby Whaler has never simply been a workplace to him. It has been a family.
How it all began
Mark first came to Wetherby Whaler through his parents, who owned a fish shop in Shadwell. He was originally “loaned out” to provide two nights of relief for the Whaler’s management team.
That short stint quickly became something much bigger.
His first day was, in Mark’s words, “a bit scary”. He remembers being shown the pan, told the tills needed cashing up at 11:30 pm, handed a set of keys and essentially told to “crack on”.
It was a very different time. Mark laughs as he remembers the fish and chip trade in those days as being full of big characters, long shifts and plenty of fun. He certainly did not imagine that, more than 40 years later, he would still be part of the Wetherby Whaler family.
From shift leader to senior manager
Over the years, Mark’s career has grown alongside the company.
He started as a shift leader before becoming a branch manager, then general manager, and eventually senior manager. Throughout that journey, he has seen the business evolve, grow and reach new heights.
For Mark, though, his greatest achievement has not been a title. It has been the people.
He has trained countless team members across the branches, many of whom have gone on to become an integral part of the Wetherby Whaler family themselves.
“They make me proud,” he says.
As the company developed, so did Mark. He describes his younger self as someone who would entertain “all shift, every shift”. Over time, his role grew to include bigger decisions, more responsibility, recruitment, leadership, empathy, support and guidance.
Through it all, he says Wetherby Whaler helped him grow into the person he is today.
Memories that will last a lifetime
After 42 years, Mark has no shortage of memories.
There was a birthday when he was dunked in a bath of water and covered in flour. There was the time he polished his dad’s car so he could chauffeur a team member on her wedding day, although he drew the line at wearing the peaked hat she requested.
There was also the memorable fish and chip lunch for the President of the Yorkshire Rotary Club, served in his garden. The day was a great success, with everyone enjoying Wetherby Whaler’s finest — apart from one small hiccup when a few drops of rain landed in the fish pan at 190 degrees.
As Mark puts it: “Exit stage left.”
And then there were the famous faces.
One Tuesday night in Wetherby, Sir Bobby Robson came into the shop after watching a football match. He ordered fish and chips, chatted away while eating at the counter, and when he finished, turned to Mark and said:
“Young man, that was the best cod and chips I’ve ever eaten, thank you.”
Mark never had the heart to tell him that Wetherby Whaler only sells haddock.
On another occasion, Kevin Keegan came in with Peter Beardsley to collect a team order. A young member of staff recognised him — almost — and said, “You’re Kenny Dalglish.” Thankfully, everyone laughed.
Even The Krankies made an appearance one day, although Mark jokes that, with the counter being so high, you could only see one of them.
The people who make the place
Ask Mark what has made Wetherby Whaler special, and his answer comes back to the people every time.
His colleagues, past and present, were never just colleagues. They were what made the job great.
Over the years, Mark has worked with hundreds of young adults, school leavers, college students and university students. For many of them, Wetherby Whaler was their first experience of work and their first time dealing with the general public.
Mark saw it as part of the job to help them grow in confidence, enjoy their work and take pride in serving Yorkshire’s finest fish and chips.
He also speaks with huge admiration for the senior teams in the branches and the office, praising their knowledge, energy and commitment to pushing the family business forward.
From directors to branch managers, Mark says leadership at Wetherby Whaler has always been about leading from the front.
“That is what made it special,” he says. “It’s a family.”
Why Wetherby Whaler?
For Mark, the reason he stayed so long is simple.
He is a perfectionist when it comes to fish and chips, and his values have always matched those of the company.
“Fish and chips isn’t a job,” he says. “It’s an art.”
In fact, Mark has been called an artist more than once.
That pride in the craft, combined with the loyalty, standards and family feel of the business, is what kept him here for more than four decades. If he had his time again, he says he would not change a thing.
“It’s a great place to work.”
Looking back with pride
When Mark reflects on his proudest moments, three things stand out.
First, the great teams he has had the pleasure of training.
Second, the trust the company placed in him to represent Wetherby Whaler, including becoming what he jokingly describes as “the face of radio”.
And third, the many food festivals where he proudly promoted the business and helped share the Wetherby Whaler name with even more people.
Asked what advice he would give his younger self on that very first day, Mark’s first answer comes with typical humour. But more seriously, he says he has loved every minute.
He gives special thanks to Phillip and Janine for the journey they have shared, and to the many loyal customers who have become friends across the branches over the last four decades.
Quick-fire with Mark
Curry sauce or mushy peas?
Mushy peas.
Early shift or late shift?
Either.
Tea or coffee?
Coffee — although it used to be tea.
Favourite menu item?
A regular fish in a butty.
Favourite Wetherby Whaler location?
All of them.
Best piece of advice you’ve received?
Smile.
Fun fact people may not know about you?
I have been a beekeeper for 20 years!
Thank you, Mark
Mark’s story is one of loyalty, hard work, humour and heart.
For 42 years, he has helped shape Wetherby Whaler from the inside out. He has trained teams, supported colleagues, served generations of customers, represented the business with pride and brought his own unmistakable personality to everything he has done.
As he prepares for his next chapter, everyone at Wetherby Whaler would like to say a heartfelt thank you.
Thank you, Mark, for the years, the laughs, the leadership, the standards and the memories.
Or, as Mark himself would say:
