That’s the look, the look, the look of love sang ABC in the eighties but it seems few things change if you’re a contract caterer pitching for business.
Apparently one London caterer didn’t get past go and certainly didn’t collect £200 when they pitched up at the Royal Society, the UK’s national academy of science, earlier this year for a tender without – dare we say it – ties!
Although that’s so media, darling, and increasingly acceptable in the business world generally it’s fair to say the academy, which was founded in 1660 overlooking the Mall and St James’ Park, prefers a certain gravitas to its affairs.
Dedicated to promoting excellence in science in the UK and commonwealth no less and the oldest scientific academy in continuous existence, the Society has the likes of Professor Stephen Hawking as a fellow. Channel 4 it is not.
Apparently as soon as these open neck types arrived an immediate look passed between the clients and “that was it for them. They could have walked on water but it wouldn’t of mattered”. Quite.
Well if the face fits.
The contract went to Harbour & Jones in the end and a healthy £8m of turnover over the next five years will no doubt help fill their coffers and allow bosses Patrick Harbour and Nathan Jones to get back down Savile Row and purchase some more fine attire.
Dress to impress, as they say.