… and Yvonne Reynolds-Young attended the lavish launch party
Manchester Vending is no more. You sense that the family was reluctant to ditch its connection with ‘Manchester’ in the company name. However, proud as they are of their Mancunian heritage, the new ‘Broderick’s’ branding has a wider-ranging appeal and introduces a ‘blue-chip’ feel that speaks of expansion to come.
But what of ‘the do’?
Reputedly, nobody throws a party quite like the Broderick’s. Previous bashes have featured stars like Frank Carson, Paul Pashley, Signature and Night Games, so in the days before the event, the buzz around the industry was ‘how on earth will they trump the last one?’
The Broderick brothers, Peter and Johnny, put their heads together. “We took a few risks,” Johnny Broderick said. “We changed a winning format but I think it paid off…”
Whatever the risks were, the company’s guests were never aware of them. From the moment we drove through Mere Resort’s imposing entrance until the moment we left, we couldn’t fail to have been impressed by the attention to detail that had been lavished on the occasion.
Thanks to an unexpected, deliciously warm evening, the main event began outside. Numerous waiting staff circulated amongst the black-tied, cocktail-dressed throng with champagne and canapés, while live music played discretely and a team of female magicians, imported from London for the day, succeeding in dazzling and delighting – even before they started their card tricks. “They really were magic,” Jonny laughed. “I paid for three and one of them disappeared!”
And so to dinner… The dining room was cloaked in wall-to-wall star cloth and centerpieces on each of the thirty-odd tables flickered candlelight though baubled festoons, creating a ‘wonderland’ atmosphere that might have been imagined by Lewis Carrol.
Then, evergreen Max Beesley brought his deft, experienced touch to the compere’s reins and introduced a video, in which Manchester Vending morphed seamlessly into Broderick’s. So good was the video, that it drew an impromptu ovation (much to the delight of producer/director Barry George, who happened to be seated amongst us).
Dinner was excellent. Indeed, considering the number of diners – 200 plus – it was astonishing.
Throughout the meal, and afterwards, a dazzling all-female string trio – comprised of two violins and a cello – played an assured selection of pop, rock and classics, all delivered with an engaging mixture of virtuosity and smouldering energy. (Watch out for Silkenstrings, I don’t think we’ve heard the last of them).
After dinner, Max Beesley took control again before handing over to Johnny Broderick, who proceeded to give us his own brand of stand-up…
Finally, from Liverpool, came the pièce de resistance. ‘The Ultimate Party Band’, a stunning, 13 piece outfit complete with front-line brass, three backing singers and an impressive back line of drums, percussion; guitar, bass and keyboards. From their first count-in to their ‘thank-you and good night’, the dance floor was rammed with revellers and the party rocked.
It wasn’t just a good night; it was a great night. It’ll be fondly remembered by everybody who was there as a cross between a society wedding, a product launch and The Royal Variety Show!
Next day, as the dust settle, the Broderick’s brothers were quick to acknowledge their appreciation in respect of the contributions suppliers had made to ensure everybody enjoyed a dazzling event. Johnny thanked them, saying, “between us, we absolutely nailed it.”
And that, folks, was just about the size of it.
