Trading Gossip

Aug 27 2008 by Tony McDonough, Liverpool Daily Post

* AUTUMN may almost be upon us but the silver lining on this particular cloud is the latest First Friday networking event taking place next week.

Trading Gossip readers will recall that at the end of the last gathering, which took place at one of the swish apartments above Liverpool’s Malmaison Hotel, one lady had somehow left a garment behind. Ding dong. This latest event is being held at the newly-refurbished Bang & Olufsen showroom in Castle Street.

It will also coincide with First Friday’s first birthday and those attending can apparently expect a free smoothie from Smoothie Express and a mystery gift. However, Trading Gossip understands that those hoping to leave with a free 50in widescreen TV should not get their hopes up.

* HOT on the heels of the Wirral Food and Drink Festival comes the Liverpool version on September 14.

And it’s a good job that main private sector sponsor Ph Creative and its managing director Bryan Adams won’t be doing any cooking demos at the launch. Apparently, while studying to become a graphic designer, Adams (pictured) supplemented his meagre income by working as a chef. By his own admission, he was more Jamie Carragher than Jamie Oliver. “I’ve always had a love for food,” he said, “but not necessarily the food I made.”

* IT is good to see Liverpool’s bars resisted the urge to profiteer during this year’s Mathew Street Festival. On Sunday one thirsty reveller proceeded to the bar where he asked to purchase a bottle of mineral water.

He was charged the modest sum of £2.80. Such commercial restraint is surely to be applauded.

* MERSEYSIDE-based dry cleaning chain Johnson has launched a “Hand Back Your Hangers” campaign to encourage people to return their yellow coat hangers to be recycled.

The aim is to drastically reduce the huge number of hangers in circulation and, somehow or other, save the planet.

And it seems the campaign has the full backing of California-based Gary Mussell, the great-grandson of the inventor of the coat hanger, Albert J Parkhouse of Michigan. Praise indeed.