Sunderland couple win wedding reception at Peacock pub

Sharon Brooke and Toni Joyce from Grindon were the first names out of the hat at a competition drawn live at The Peacock.

The Echo teamed up with the city centre pub for its first wedding fair in its upstairs function room.

The free fair, which featured exhibitors such as Crozier Cars, AC Events, BDazzled, Rebel Events, Sarah Jane’s Makeup, Cinders Prom and Evening Wear, Miss Jane’s Parties and Cakes, Proper Patisserie and Belle Studio, was aimed at showcasing how the multi-purpose room can be used for wedding functions.

Sharon and Toni have won a wedding reception including a glass of wine for each guest upon arrival, a three-course wedding breakfast meal for 50 guests and an evening buffet.

Mum-of-four Sharon, a support worker, said: “We’re over the moon to have won. I came along to the wedding fair just to see how it looks for a function and put my name in the draw. I never win anything so I never expected to win.”

The couple, who’ve been together for six years, will tie the knot in September.

The Peacock general manager Paul Scott said: “A lot of people still don’t realise that the function room is here so the wedding fair has been really successful at getting that message out there.”

He added: “It looks totally different to how it used to look and has had a lot of investment made in its transformation.

“It has its own entrance, toilets and bar so is perfect for functions. Plus, it’s right in the city centre, so is a bit of a hidden gem really.”