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.
When Damon is sent out of his domestic science class, he discovers an ingenious use for a piece of clingfilm. Kevin worries about how Harry will react to his secret.
While waiting to see his head of year, Damon invites Pat to the Valentine's Day disco. Harry confronts Edna about her betting.
Everyone is waiting for Valentine cards, but who will receive them? Terry's tricks rebound. Heather has an interview.
Damon faces suspension, Matty wants to fiddle his electricity meter, and Annabelle bows out of the ratepayers' association.
Heather's boss tries to convince her to change her mind about resigning. Barry thinks he has won a bet - but the arrival of a stranger from Ireland may change things.
Bobby is more willing to help Matty with his problems than to help Sheila with hers. Terry pretends to be injured to avoid having to go jogging with Michelle.
Marie is not convinced that the Jacksons now face a better future. Karen receives a letter from Mike.
Damon plans to get drunk with Gizzmo to celebrate his 16th - or 4th - birthday. Heather has no shortage of willing helpers when her car won't go.
Harry is not pleased to find that Edna has discussed his attitude to Kevin with Marie. Sheila spots a tiny flaw in Karen's boycott plans.
Marie gets a shock when her long-lost father turns up. Heather gives Sheila some book-keeping advice. Harry and Edna try a spot of match-making.
Ted tells Karen why he must refuse to support her campaign. Annabelle and Paul have a win on the premium bonds.
Robin asks Annabelle to be his election agent. Michelle finds that her tights have gone missing, but soon the Jacksons face a more difficult predicament.
Even though Barry is without a car, he is determined to keep his promise to take Heather to the airport. Davey is shocked to discover the terms of Petra's will.
Edna goes with Jessica to choose a mother's day present for Sally. Michelle insists that Barry takes Terry to hospital.
There are surprises all round as Mother's Day and April Fools' Day coincide. Tommy McArdle turns up at the Grants' with some advice for Barry.
Robin needs to deliver his election nomination papers, but the Jacksons' dog is squatting on his car seat. Marie very nearly calls a truce.
Terry feels that Michelle is over-dressed for her first shift at the pub. There's a shock in store for Matty.
Sheila feels guilty over what has happened to Matty. Paul receives an invitation to a reunion at PetroChem.
Annabelle is embarrassed when she doesn't realise that the potential buyers she has to show around Heather's house are a gay couple.
Both Bobby and Paul feel that they are in with a good chance of landing a new job, while Tommy McArdle is looking for a car from Barry and Terry.
When Alan shows his new girlfriend Liz his bungalow, she tells him they will have to move. The Grants go to church on Easter Sunday, except for Barry. who is worried about the car Tommy McArdle has...
Liz deliberately misleads Gordon about Alan's intentions, causing bad feeling throughout the Close and some embarrassing late-night outbursts.
Annabelle is concerned when Paul hasn't returned home. Alan receives a rude awakening and some unpleasant truths, and Barry is subjected to some tough questioning.
Marie finds something unfamiliar in George's bed. Bobby suspects that Barry is up to something and tells him to leave.
When Annabelle discovers Paul and Dorothy together, she decides to go and stay with her mother. Bobby is elected District Secretary.
George wants Michelle and Marie to come to an agreement about the house. Harry wants his bed moved downstairs while he recuperates. Heather's senior manager receives a letter about her from Roger.
Alan's day begins with the arrival of a parcel, but then he discovers its contents. Heather's meeting with an old acquaintance ends unhappily. Barry and Terry carpet everyone they can.
Paul resigns from the youth training scheme and, in Annabelle's absence, celebrates with Dorothy. Heather has another visitor from Ireland. Alan becomes more depressed.
Alan digs up his tree and destroys Harry's fence. Heather insists that Rose explains why she has arrived in Liverpool.
When Harry decides to get up, he finds that Edna has gone on strike. Karen tries to find out why Sheila is so moody. Will arrives at Heather's to take Rose home.
Terry and Michelle go to look at cars...or vans. Karen encourages Sheila to think about going on holiday. Alan locks his keys in the car, and falls asleep on Edna's bed.
The neighbours rally round when Alan finds himself fighting for his life after Liz returns to the Close with a sinister friend who beats him up and wrecks the bungalow.
Annabelle returns home to find a suspicious son and an absent husband. Sheila decides to go on holiday, but a visit to the doctors confirms her worst fears. Alan discharges himself from hospital.
Bobby and Sheila relax on holiday in Spain, but Sheila is trying to pluck up the courage to tell Bobby that she's pregnant.
Sheila and Bobby ponder on how the rest of the family will take their news. Michelle buys a car, and encourages Terry to teach her to drive.
Tensions mount in the Collins household, and Annabelle follows Paul to the tailors'. When Michelle comes home, she discovers that she has moved house.
Barry tries to break into Heather's bedroom. Annabelle meets an old acquaintance. Marie wants to send the twins to private school.
Karen realises that her parents have something to tell her, but isn't at all prepared for what it is.
There are differences of opinion in the Grant household about Sheila's pregnancy. Barry and Celia discuss their tool-hire venture.
Heather asks Rose to prepare an inventory and show a potential buyer around. Annabelle goes to an auction with Sonia. Harry discovers that someone has placed Heather's "For Sale" sign in front of h...
Sheila tries to find out more about Barry's new girlfriend. Harry tries to find out who has bought Heather's house. Teresa appeals to Sheila for help with her money troubles.
Alan rushes to the festival to see Samantha, and finds her surrounded by men. In desperation, he turns to drink again. Paul and Annabelle look forward to a dinner party.
Marie takes the twins to be interviewed. Alan has to thank Samantha for preventing him from being arrested.
Matty appears in court. Alan and Samantha spread the happy news of their impending marriage. Alan is offered a job abroad, and puts the bungalow on the market.
Harry makes an offer for Alan's bungalow, but Edna discovers that it involves blackmail. Marie receives some bad news about the twins' prospects of private education, and confronts the headmaster.
It is Samantha and Alan's wedding day - but there is a terrible accident.
Alan prepares to leave the Close for good. Marie tries to persuade George to change his mind. The Grants visit Sheila in hospital, and the doctor has some disturbing news for Bobby.