A quarter of a century of giggling over naughty lingerie will be celebrated tomorrow, as the Ann Summers party turns 25.
The concept, which involves selling lingerie and sex toys to women in their own homes, was devised in 1981 by a then 21-year-old Jacqueline
Gold. Working as a junior for the company, Ms Gold - the daughter of David Gold, owner of Birmingham City Football Club - came up with the idea after visiting a Pippa Dee clothes party.
Today Ann Summers has 7,500 party organisers holding on average 4,000 parties a week. Now md of the group, which also has 135 high street shops and an annual turnover of over #155 million, Ms Gold said she never imagined the idea would be as long-running or successful. "I pinch myself every day. Ann Summers parties have become an institution."
