EASTENDERS’ stunning new £87million set is finally almost ready as the Queen Vic and Square are given a new lease of life.
Aerial snaps of the impressive set show it to have an almost toy-town sheen such is the freshness of the famous locale.
The iconic Queen Vic pub is now clad in its familiar burgundy facade, while the greenery has been planted in the Square, and the houses are anearly ready to be inhabited by Walford’s finest.
Businesses like Mitchell Autos in the arches, Ian Beale’s chippy and the E13 club have been faithfully recreated and modernised to make for a better filming and viewing experience.
The new EastEnders set will replace the show’s original one, which was built in 1984 from steel frames, plywood and plaster brick panels.
However, viewers will have to wait until around 2023 to see the residents of Albert Square make use of their new home.
The BBC said in a statement: “The set of EastEnders was built in 1984 and only intended for use for two years.
“Over 30 years later, the show remains one of the BBC’s flagship programmes and yet is filming from a set that is no longer fit for purpose.
“The new set will be suitable for HD filming for the first time and extend Walford to better reflect modern East End London.”
Meanwhile on the current Elstree set, Walford has been transformed into a Christmas wonderland ahead of filming the festive special.
