A seismic shock strikes Albert Square next week – that could change the face of EastEnders forever.
When you think of the BBC soap’s little slice of East End London that has been beautifully crafted on a backlot in Elstree, Hertfordshire, memories of The Queen Vic pub, the Bridge Street Market, Square Gardens and Kathy’s Cafe are instantly evoked.
However – that could all be about to change when a redevelopment scheme looks set to take over the area.
Viewers will remember that the last time such drastic change was proposed was back in 2017, when James Wilmott-Brown’s (William Boyde) company Weyland&Co threatened the Square.
In upcoming scenes, the floor drops from beneath Martin Fowler’s (James Bye) feet when Honey and Billy Mitchell (Emma Barton and Perry Fenwick) reveal that the market is at risk.
This is devastating news for Martin, as a member of his family has ran the fruit and veg stall there for 103 years.
When the show began in 1985, his uncle Pete Beale (Peter Dean) was the trader at the helm of the famed pop-up shop.
Reeling from the news, the trio decide to hold a crisis meeting in the pub with the other market traders as they discuss the possibility that the market could be abolished.
To make matters worse, there’s also a possibility that the Square Gardens could soon disappear too.
Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt) is summoned, having contacted the council and getting his hands on the truly awful plans.
Later, a row escalates when the punters learn that the contractor employed to undertake the work is none other than Junior Knight (Micah Balfour)!
Can the market be saved?
And most importantly, what will this mean for Winston and Shrimpy?
