Winning bid suits me to a tea

11:35am Friday 23rd December 2005

Tea with the mayor might not be high up on many Christmas wish lists but two Croydon companies forked out £290 to do just that.

A date with mayor Maggie Mansell surprisingly became the most sought after prize at a charity auction organised by Croydon Chamber of Commerce.

The event earlier this month was held to raise money for Croydon Youth Development Trust.

Croydon-based HTI Imaging and De-Charles Resources (DCR) were locked in a most unlikely bidding war at the auction.

HTI eventually emerged victorious after breaking DCR's resistance with a bid of £145.

But Councillor Mansell then offered the losing company a separate tea date on condition it matched HTI's winning bid.

Laurie Stokes, managing director of HTI, was delighted to win the friendly bidding battle and insisted he was determined not to lose out. "I'm excited to be having tea with the mayor. I didn't want to lose face. It was a matter of pride and I was determined not to be out bid.

"But it was all good humoured and I ended up playing the whole auction game by rubbing my nose when bidding."

Mr Stokes said he would not be overawed by the prospect of sipping tea with the borough's first lady.

He added: "I actually met her at the auction so I won't be too nervous, but it's not a thing people do every day.

"The day before the auction I had to call the chamber of commerce to find out how to address her but hopefully we will be on a first name basis when we meet."

Mr Stokes hopes to pick the mayor's brains on how to best improve HTI's business prospects in the new year.

"I would like to talk about business with her, about where Croydon is going, what new developments and businesses are coming into the area. But I'm sure there will be the general chit-chat about holidays, kids and Christmas."

He added: "It's a lot of money to pay but it's nice to be able help out where we can.

"You get back what you put in and it is important to give back to the community."

After the auction Coun Mansell said: "I was surprised and delighted that two bidders should value my offer of tea in the parlour so highly.

"I look forward to receiving them and an interesting discussion."