WOW (Mecca magazine) #34 | Page 12

latest news latest news S Club wows Southend T Cracking time at Blackpool The second Firecracker event at Mecca Blackpool proved to be another sparkling success. Customers flocked from clubs around the area, resulting in 1,250 admissions, five lucky customers winning £10,000 – like Kath Smith (pictured) whose family could not believe it – and a total prize money payout of £78,000. With so many people in the club it was quite a challenge, but the team worked hard to ensure everyone had a great time. The two Firecracker nights at Blackpool have been the two best sessions the club has seen in the past 15 years, and it is hoped the success will be repeated at the next one! Pepe’s a real star Meet 10-year-old Pepe the Yorkshire terrier – every inch a Mecca Star Pet! Pepe was the winning entry in the search for the top pet belonging to a team member to mark the success of the Pet of the Month competition for online customers. Joan Higson, office controller at Mecca Breightmet, rescued her from a Bolton animal shelter two years ago and Pepe now boasts both a good home and a stylish wardrobe, attracting a lot of attention when she sports the smart Mecca coat that Joan made for her. She even has her own Mecca badge and is a firm favourite with team members and customers at Breightmet, As well as winning hearts, she has won a £50 Amazon voucher for being Mecca’s Star Pet, which Joan says will go on adding more coats and collars to Pepe’s wardrobe! 12  WOW! Issue 34 • January 2014 he power of pop saw the busiest night on record as re-formed hit group S Club performed live at Mecca Southend to launch the club’s new House Party entertainment programme. It was more than a House Party, it was also a big ‘S Club Party’, with fans of all ages joining in an amazing night and introducing a raft of new members to the club. It had created a huge buzz in the area, with national and local press coverage and a whole S Club day on local radio in conjunction with the event. Southend is really embracing the House Party idea, with new weekly events delivered by show hosts and bigger monthly events. After the success of S Club, discussions are taking place with a few more big names to join the party. Star line up: (l-r) S Club’s Paul Cattermole, membership manager Mario Mugan, senior show host Kelly Hayward, Jo O’ Meara from S Club, show hosts Abbie-Lee Turner and Joe O’ Brien and S Club’s Bradley Mackintosh. Apprenticeship scheme launch Reggae reigns at Catford A ray of reggae sunshine really warmed things up when iconic band Aswad appeared live at Mecca Catford. The band, whose hits include Shine and Don’t Turn Around, had enthusiastic fans on their feet at the club’s House Party, which saw 200 customers staying on after the bingo to enjoy the music. Team member Tanya Pearson even managed to get a photo taken with one of the band members! Beeston’s got talent How do you pep up a quiet evening at bingo? For Mecca Beeston, the answer has been to fill the slot with loads of local talent. The club came up with the idea of running its own talent show to keep up the fun after the Thursday Win ner Mollie Ralph evening House Party finished, with customers with show host Sophie voting for their favourite during each weekly contest until there were just four acts left in the final. Occle shaw. The result was definitely a win-win. The club saw double the number of customers staying back to enjoy the show and for the winner Mollie Ralph, there was a £500 prize and a year’s contract with agency Stagepalm Entertainments. Great Gateshead There was a sack full of seasonal cheer as Mecca Gateshead welcomed 600 customers from a dozen clubs to a big bingo rally in December. They were greeted on arrival by the Longbenton College Choir and tucked into a festive packed lunch with plenty of bubbly to make the party go with a swing. Then it was eyes down for Santa’s free bingo with prizes of Christmas hampers before host Lee McQuire appeared as Gateshead’s very own Sexy Santa. Entertainment group The Boyz had everyone dancing, Frosty the Snowman (aka team member Phil Taylor), presented extra prizes to all H