Party without a celebration

City firm Rakisons pulled out all the stops for a party last week, organised to celebrate its merger with Stephens Innocent.

It admirably refused to be defeated by the fact that the merger collapsed at the last minute last year in acrimonious circumstances and went ahead with the party anyway.

No expense was spared - stilt walkers, kangaroo-meat nibbles, crazy Aussie band, magician, disco and the obligatory refreshments were all on hand to spice up the night at trendy wine bar cum restaurant Vinopolis.

Obiter was disappointed, however, that the delightful playboy Bunnies did not show their fluffy tails.

But Rakisons partner Jonathan Polin seemed relieved at their absence.

Mr Polin, who is acting for Playboy in securing its London casino deal, told the Gazette of his first trip to Playboy HQ in the US.

Instead of the usual selection of business literature in the reception, he was confronted with a dazzling array of the latest Playboy issues, and resorted to rummaging in his briefcase for something a little less racy.

The poor man said he felt more comfortable with The Beano - the magazine of choice for Rakisons clients since a partner's son left some copies behind some years ago.