Following the everyday life and times of the residents, friends, and enemies who live in a suburban neighbourhood on the outskirts of the city of Liverpool in the north of England.
Annabelle finds her first day in court as a magistrate to be something of an anti-climax. Paul accidentally sets off Heather's burglar alarm. Rod wonders whether he really stands a chance of making...
Gordon and Annabelle are not impressed that Paul is gloating because Barry is still expecting Lucy to come home for Christmas. Charlie discovers that Nick is dead. Tracy arrives late at the salon o...
Jimmy brings a Christmas present for Billy, but Doreen isn't convinced that he should accept it. Harry observes some suspicious behaviour involving Father Christmas and some hampers.
It's party time on the Close, and Gail is trying her luck with more than just one man. Harry overhears Jack explaining his scam, and turns it to his own advantage. Rod's time alone with Kirsty is i...
Guy is distraught because Karen has finished with him and is moving to London. Rod receives potentially useful press coverage. While Doreen confides in Sheila about her financial problems, the elec...
To Rod's dismay, Billy just can't keep his hands off the electrics. Gail gate-crashes a party Damon has gone to. Bobby and Barry have a long chat in the pub.
Harry is speechless for once, and it's time for Barry to leave again. Shelley lets Tracy go home early when she claims that her mother is awaiting the results of medical tests.
Damon is hanging around the school gates. Julia's incessant chatter causes Harry to regain the power of speech. Doreen visits Tracy at the salon, and Shelley is surprised that she is looking so well.
Sheila is in need of spiritual sustenance. Billy is offered a job in Tunbridge Wells. Harry confronts Madge about her birthdays.
Sheila is convinced that she needs to go to Rome, while Billy is convinced that he should go to Tunbridge Wells. Eric tries to convince Bobby that Martin's claims about asbestos need not be taken s...
After rowing with Doreen while Kirsty is visiting, Billy turns off the electricity again. Bobby has lunch with the industrial relations officer of Billinge's, and becomes more convinced that someth...
Harry is not pleased that Ralph is going on holiday with Madge, and makes sure everybody knows. Billy returns from the bank with good news, but is not pleased about what he finds at home.
Pat and Terry are both looking for a third tenant, and they both find one. Sheila looks for a job to help her save the money for going to Rome. Billy warns Doreen against over-spending.
Sheila is determined to go to Rome, with or without Bobby. Bobby is certain that the shop steward at Billinge Chemicals is in the management's pocket. Pat and Terry try to cope with the lodger from...
Paul rescues a drowning puppy, and Annabelle allows it into the house only until it can be taken to the RSPCA. Bobby wonders if he has got the wrong end of the stick regarding the asbestos scare.
A disturbing encounter galvanises Bobby into action - after meeting a man with asbestosis, he decides to call in the factory inspectors. Annabelle sets Lucky free, but Paul finds her and brings her...
Ralph and Madge return from their holiday engaged to be married. Bobby is accused of being a member of the Militant Tendency.
There are complaints from around the Close about the Collins' dog. Harry finds out how he can solve the riddle surrounding Madge's birthday.
Annabelle is annoyed when Lucky gets to the paper before she does, and mistakenly believes that Damon is in trouble with the police. Pat loses a lot of money in a card game. Madge has a story to te...
Chinese whispers slur Damon's name, and it isn't long before he is allegedly a hardened criminal. Bobby faces an irate workforce at the factory.
Bobby discovers he has been spied on. Harry successfully impersonates a retired civil servant by putting on a stupid hat.
Madge breaks off her engagement to Ralph, and Harry makes sure he retrieves the ring from her before she disappears.
Mike makes a pass at Doreen. Jamie, who is delivering supplies to the salon, asks Tracy out. Trish and Fran have a business proposition for Pat and Terry.
Terry buys Heather's bed, but then realises he will have a problem getting it home. Harry is keen to buy her answerphone, until he finds out the price. Annabelle and Paul are late for the sale beca...
Harry finally confirms his suspicions, discovering that he has an extra tenant. Chris and Gordon act out a fantasy, with tragic results.
Terry confronts Pat over his neglect of their business. Paul sets out to discover who killed his dog. Mick and Mike make a noisy departure, while Ralph prepares to make a much quieter one.
A pregnant woman arrives looking for Mike. Terry is worried that he will be caught by the DHSS. Doreen witnesses the conditions Billy has been living in, and a series of strange encounters make her...
Julia finds out about Tracy's night out with Jamie and is concerned about how Doreen will react. Thinking he has discovered who killed Lucky, Paul is intent on revenge.
Pat's foolishness causes more work to be lost, and Terry is not pleased. Paul continues to gather evidence and is determined to use it against them, when he should really be reading a letter Gordon...
Billy returns home unexpectedly. When he discovers what Paul has done, Gordon has a confession to make. Annabelle leaves Paul and Gordon to go to her mother's.
Pat and Terry want the world to know that Paul has been spying for the DHSS, and they place a banner on their roof pointing to his house. Paul and Gordon burn their dinner.
Jimmy makes a suggestion, which might end Billy's bad luck. Sheila's mind is made up, but Margaret may be having second thoughts. Annabelle returns home and takes swift action to have the banner ma...
Doreen decides the time has come to make a shrewd investment; she asks Damon to place a bet on a horse race for her. Billy and Doreen discover Tracy has lost her job. There are new arrivals on the ...
Damon and Mark use an old clock to extricate themselves from a financial predicament. Doreen goes to the salon to try to convince Shelley to give Tracy her job back.
Bobby feels that too much is expected of him. Damon tries to impress Debbie with his culinary skills, but Mark has been trying to spice things up. Billy puts Doreen's winnings on another "cert."
Bobby and Sheila's holiday in Rome goes from bad to worse, and neither of them can see how to mend things. Billy considers breaking the law to resolve his financial problems, and Doreen meets Jamie...