Nick Peek next to the cut-out of The Queen and some of Peeks’ staff
The Queen’s 90th birthday celebrations will bring Brits out in force to celebrate, according to one of the country’s biggest party supply companies.
Peeks of Christchurch in Dorset has stocked up on its red, white and blue products in preparation for the demand.
Managing director Nick Peek – the third generation of the family to run the firm – said the country’s celebrations will be the biggest since the Diamond Jubilee in 2012.
The company has ordered 500 miles of bunting, and enough union flags, garlands, balloons and street party paraphernalia to cover the nationwide event.
The Queen’s birthday is on 21 April and the official celebrations will take place between 12 and 15 May and will include a pageant like the one for the jubilee.
On 11 June is the Trooping of the Colour, which is the official celebrations of the Queen’s birthday, and on 12 June a giant street party will be held in The Mall, with plans for street parties to be held concurrently across the country.
Nick said: “There are plenty of opportunities to celebrate the occasion and already schools, local authorities and businesses have been in touch to place orders.
“We know from the Jubilee and the Royal Wedding that there is a huge interest in Royal occasions and Brits love an excuse to have a party.
“This year is Peeks’ 70th birthday and over the years we’ve sold products for every Royal occasion and the interest never seems to drop.
“We have Queen cut-outs, a variety of hats, face paints, posters, waistcoats and everything a party needs including party packs.
“And for street parties we have tablecloths, cutlery, plates, napkins and even sandwich racks.
“We anticipate that this will be a huge occasion because the Queen herself is getting involved.
“There was some interest last year when she became the longest ever serving monarch, but as she didn’t choose to mark that moment there weren’t massive celebrations.
“This time it will be different and street parties – contrary to what you might hear – are simple to organise.”
Peeks has a giant party store in Christchurch as well as a website and it produces catalogues for its mail order customers
