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.
Although he has nothing to go on, Paul Collins accuses one of his new neighbours of stealing his toilet. But Barry believes that Damon's poor spelling clears him of responsibilty for the graffiti f...
When Bobby's car breaks down, the Collins family give the Grants a lift to church. Roger wants to keep an eye on what else is happening outside in the Close, but Heather would prefer him to come ba...
Paul registers for benefit, Lucy struggles at the local comprehensive school, realising that her posh voice and background will be a disadvantage. Barry has a dodgy suggestion for Annabelle.
Roger tries to assemble a shelving unit, despite having not enough screws and no instructions. Bobby plans a strike at work, and there are cookers on the move on the Close.
Paul's digging amuses Damon and his friends. Barry tells a horrific tale of an accident on the building site. Karen Grant brings home her new boyfriend, Demon Duane.
Heather wonders why Paul is always at home. Roger is becoming agitated about the cookers in the next garden. Karen's period starts, and a strike looks imminent.
New neighbours arrive... in a large frozen meat truck. Karen wants to persuade Bobby and Sheila to allow her to go on holiday, and Heather gets her revenge on Roger
Barry makes Duane understand that boasting about his "conquest" of Karen was really not a very good idea. Meanwhile, Lucy is being physically intimidated at school.
The whole close is burgled, but...
A buyer for Gavin's cookers turns up at the Huntington's. Barry tries to persuade Sheila to bump up their insurance claim.
Sheila is hassled, Bobby is pressurised, Gavin is visited by the council and given a week to dispose of his cookers, and Arthur dies.
Gavin plans revenge, Barry delivers his new doors, and Petra fills in her chart. Damon advises Karen to keep quiet about her decision for the moment
Roger has an alarm installed, Gordon is resentful, Lucy is being followed, Petra is ovulating and Barry is stabbed.
Roger does his Christmas shopping, all of which is then stolen. Bobby is under increased pressure to end the strike as Christmas approaches.
Lucy is rescued from a kiss under the mistletoe by one of her class-mates. Karen wants to go to a party instead of attending the midnight Mass. Derek makes a pass at Heather.
It is an upsetting Christmas for the Collins family, while Karen has a hangover, Bobby has an emergency meeting, Roger's burglar alarm goes off again, and Damon has no presents.
Barry is determined to get revenge on his attacker, Paul receives some encouraging news, but Petra is still feeling fed up and depressed.
The...
Paul...
Paul jumps to some wrong conclusions. Petra becomes more obsessed about having a baby. Sheila makes a decision, and Damon invites his mates over
Karen...
Annie's financial worries begin to trouble Shelia, and Barry discovers that he may also have some money problems. Lucy is amused that, without Paul knowing, Annabelle is looking for work.
Damon almost reveals that Karen is on the pill. Paul wants Annabelle to stay at home, but she would prefer to do some supply teaching. There is more bad news at work for Shelia.
Roger's attempt to take up jogging are not successful. The boys' school reports are not good, so Damon has some serious grovelling to do. Shelia confronts Annie, although Barry has no sympathy
Barry...
Barry's denials when...
Shelia...
Petra...
Annabelle becomes exasperated when her car is caught behind Gavin's funeral cortege and she runs out of petrol. Paul resolves to be more decisive and find himself a job.
Lucy...
Barry tries to set his relationship with Carol on a firmer footing. Redundancies look certain to occur, as one plant at Bobby's work is to be closed down. Shelia seeks advice from her priest.
Gordon is invited to an all-night party, but Paul wants him to be home by 10.30pm. Matty Nolan receives a redundancy notice, and is disappointed when Bobby seems unwilling to use his influence to h...
Annabelle has an unexpected visitor, while Roger and Heather battle over Derek's dinner party. Damon steals Karen's Valentine card, and takes it to show to everyone at school.
Matty and Teresa have dinner with Bobby and Shelia, and end up arguing over redundancies. Meanwhile, Heather and Roger dine with Derek and Angela and their other guests - and Derek hints to Heather...
Damon steams open the wrong letter. Barry and Frank are horrified by Petra's attitude and her determination to get Gavin completely out of her life.
Annabelle tries to convince Paul that he cannot claim free meals for Gordon at his private school. Barry and Frank plan a surprise for Petra, but she has a bigger surprise for Barry.
The Huntingtons are burgled again, and Roger sets off around the Close to interrogate his neighbours. The Educational Welfare Officer visits the Grants to find out why Damon has been missing school.
Redundancy in the Grant household forces Damon and Karen to think of ways of earning cash. But Barry brightens the day by bringing home paint for the planned redecoration.
When Petra's boss makes a pass at her, Michelle suggests that Petra tells him that she is pregnant. There are differing views over how a ratepayers' association should be run.
Sheila waits at home while Bobby and his mates endlessly drink and drivel after-hours about nothing of any significance or interest.
The Huntingtons suspect that they have another intruder, and they're right. Damon is stranded in the bungalow after arguing with his mates. Lucy tells Gordon of her doubts about her relationship wi...
Roger's parents visit for Easter, and his father's offers to help around the house don't go down too well. Gordon suggests that Lucy should give Jonathan a taste of his own medicine.
It's time for church, but Karen and Damon have gone missing. Sydney sees Barry laying paving stones for Petra, and asks whether he could get some for Roger. Lucy drops Gordon right in it.
After Michelle expresses doubts that they should be spending so much time together, Petra and Barry talk things over. Meanwhile Sydney makes Damon pay when he catches him doing something naughty in...
Alan measures the bungalow, but can he find anybody who knows enough geography to help him out? Roger invites everyone for a drink to celebrate his and Syndey's Birthdays. Lucy practises for her st...
Damon and his friends become uneasy about Alan, but their fears prove unfounded. The Huntingdon's party doesn't go as planned.