We all looked in bewilderment as Mark Jones, Workhouse MD, was heard to shout around the office, “who can pick up Ken Dodd for me tomorrow?”

We all looked at him like he was going mad as he walked out the office one morning declaring, “Right I’m off to Ken Dodd’s house”

Can you imagine the look on our faces when he walked back into the office with an official Ken Dodd Tickling stick!

No it seems our MD isn’t going bonkers (?) but rather Ken Dodd was guest of honour at the opening of the new Stax Trade Centres Manchester Branch on Wednesday 9th September. Workhouse have worked with Stax Trade Centres providing all of their marketing for over 20 years and this year, with the opening of a massive new Manchester branch warehouse, Workhouse had put on a major opening event and Ken Dodd, officially open the new Stax Trade Centres Manchester depot – 28 years after originally opening the old Manchester branch.

Some Workhouse staff were on hand to see over 1,000 customers turn up to the new Head Office branch, which represents an £11m investment for Stax.

Ken spent over 3 hours in the branch meeting customers and posing for photographs, before ‘tickling’ his audience with the infamous ‘tickling sticks’ by performing a hilarious stand-up routine and presentation in the central display area.

In his presentation, Ken praised the efforts of all at Stax and made some light hearted comments aimed at the Joint Managing Directors,

“I can’t believe it’s been 28 years since I was last stood here opening the original Stax… and fortunately I’ve already been asked to open the next branch… 28 years from now,” said 82 year old Ken, amidst much laughter from the crowd.

A bemused Dodd continued,
“What? I’m only 35… Apparently you can’t take it with you can you, so I’m not going!”

“But in all seriousness, both Eddie [Brady] and David [Hibbert] have done a fantastic job in achieving what has been done, and I have never seen so many happy and smiling staff! In fact we’ve got an opening in the Diddy men if either of you are interested?”

Workhouse Directors, Mark and Nita Jones, were fortunate to share a buffet reception with the star before being invited to his next show in Blackpool!

Having collected and dropped Ken off at his home, accompanied by a tour of the house and an introduction to his dog, Mark Jones returned to the office threatening all of his staff with his newest toy – the tickling stick, and telling many a tale of his new best friend, Ken Dodd’s Dog….. I mean Ken Dodd!

 Ken Dodd with one of his famous "Tickling Sticks"

Ken Dodd with Stax's Joint Managing Director  David Hibbert (left) and Chairman and Joint Managing Director Eddie Brady (right)