Is this ESSENTIAL construction work? EastEnders’ brand new £87m set continues to be built as it nears first stages of completion amid the COVID-19 crisis… with just the Queen Vic left to finish
- The revamped Albert Square is being built to replicate EastEnders’ old set, which is based just feet away
- Work on the site continues despite the current COVID-19 pandemic that sees most of the UK in lockdown
- Those classes as essential key workers are still expected to attend their jobs
- Construction sites have not been asked to close, so work can continue ‘if it is done safely’ according to the UK government’s website
- The Elstree set will feature all of Albert Square’s staples, including the Queen Vic pub and the Walford East station – with the project originally intended for completion in August 2018
- In October 2017 the plan was revised, with the BBC saying the set will cost £86.7 million and not be fully completed until 2023; MPs have criticised the sizable cost of the project recently
The brand new EastEnders set is nearly complete – and was buzzing with activity on Tuesday as work continues amid the COVID-19 outbreak.
Construction sites have not been asked to close, so work can continue ‘if it is done safely’ according to the UK government’s website – with social-distancing measures in place and strict rules regarding personal and food hygiene.
Yet the project may not, to some, be classed as ‘essential’ – as the majority of the UK has been asked to stay at home unless absolutely necessary.
Getting there: The brand new EastEnders set is nearly complete – and was buzzing with activity on Tuesday as work continues on amid the COVID-19 outbreak
Lone site workers were spotted in protective gear as they busily went about their tasks, keeping a fair distance from one another.
The £87m Borehamwood set is taking shape, despite the few construction staff on site.
The famous Queen Vic pub is now one of the only major structures left to be finished.
The new Albert Square is being erected next to the old one – which would ordinarily be busy with cast and crew shooting EastEnders.
Reduced staff? A lone contruction worker is pictured on set as the UK continues to enforce lockdown rules for non-key workers
Big changes: The brand new set features all of Albert Square’s staples, as well as a brand new version of the Queen Vic pub, a block of flats and a railway line
Challenging: According to The Telegraph last year, ongoing maintenance issues on the old set hampered the show’s filming schedule and presented health and safety concerns
But this was deserted on Tuesday, as production has been halted due to the UK’s lockdown.
The BBC was accused of ‘complacency’ over the astonishing £87 million bill for its new EastEnders set at the end of last month.
The project, nicknamed E20 after the soap’s fictitious postcode, is already £27million over budget and is not expected to be fully completed until May 2023, nearly five years late.
MPs said BBC bosses ‘badly’ managed the construction and that they made ‘a serious error’ by failing to consider what project management skills they needed.
Open for business: Construction sites have not been asked to close, so work can continue ‘if it is done safely’ according to the UK government’s website
Rules: Social-distancing measures are in place, as are strict rules regarding personal and food hygiene
Essential? The project may not, to some, be classed as ‘essential’ – as the majority of the UK has been asked to stay at home unless absolutely necessary
Cut-backs? Lone site workers were spotted in protective gear as they busily went about their tasks, keeping a fair distance from one another
Controversial: The new and improved Walford has not come without its detractors, however, as The Sun previously reported that neighbors were left disgruntled by the loud noises of builders working on the set
Scary: Construction for the brand new set also continues as filming for all of the UK’s biggest soaps has been thrown into doubt amid the coronavirus outbreak
The public accounts committee said they secured a contract poorly, drastically increasing costs.
The committee also found that contract negotiations took six months longer than planned, partly because of discussions about what bricks to use for the set. Meanwhile, the corporation spent £50,000 on samples.
MPs added that they were ‘disappointed by the BBC’s complacency in managing this project, particularly in its early stages’.
And they said the BBC ‘underestimated the scale and complexity of the project, including how it would age the new sets so that they either exactly replicate what viewers are used to, or look realistic where there are new locations’.
Investment: The updated set will allow the crew to film in HD as bosses feared filming above standard definition on the current set would allow viewers to notice that the fronts of the some buildings were made of plaster and plywood
Still a long wait: In 2013 the BBC said the new set would cost £59.7 million to be completed in August 2018. In October 2017 this was revised, with the broadcaster saying the set will cost £86.7 million and not be fully completed until 2023
The set consists of a ‘front lot’ – a brickwork replica of the current set – and a ‘back lot’, which will provide extra locations to ‘better reflect modern East End London’.
A BBC spokesman said: ‘We strongly reject the notion that there has been any complacency in managing this project.
‘Like any building work of this scale, there have been challenges along the way including construction market issues beyond our control and working on a brownfield site.’
The extended sound stage sees a new railway line and block of flats in place, replicating the soap’s original set up.
EastEnders’ brand new set was first announced four years ago when it was also revealed that the show’s old 1984 set was in poor condition.
Quiet: The £87m Borehamwood set is taking shape, despite the few construction staff on site
Accusations: The BBC was accused of ‘complacency’ over the astonishing £87 million bill for its new EastEnders set at the end of last month
Complacent? The project, nicknamed E20 after the soap’s fictitious postcode, is already £27million over budget and is not expected to be fully completed until May 2023, nearly five years late
As well as an extension of the famous Albert Square, EastEnders’ new set will feature a brand new block of flats to house all manner of colourful characters.
It is being perfectly built to replicate the old set, which had been in use since the soap first began.
According to The Telegraph last year, ongoing maintenance issues on the old set hampered the show’s filming schedule and presented health and safety concerns.
The updated set will allow the crew to film the programme in HD as bosses feared filming above standard definition on the current set would allow viewers to notice that the fronts of the Queen Vic and its surrounding buildings are made of plaster and plywood.
Hitting out: MPs said BBC bosses ‘badly’ managed the construction and that they made ‘a serious error’ by failing to consider what project management skills they needed
Criticism: MPs added that they were ‘disappointed by the BBC’s complacency in managing this project, particularly in its early stages’
The HD set’s buildings are made entirely out of brick, however the crew are working diligently to ensure they appear identical on camera to the buildings that viewers are familiar with.
The new and improved Walford has not come without its detractors, however, as The Sun previously reported that neighbours were left disgruntled by the loud noises of builders working on the set.
The BBC said in response: ‘We are extremely mindful of the neighbouring properties and have ensured residents are regularly updated. We keep all out-of-hours work to an absolute minimum.’
In 2013 the BBC said the new set would cost £59.7 million to be completed in August 2018.
However in October 2017 this was revised, with the broadcaster saying the set will cost £86.7 million and not be fully completed until 2023.
Hard at work: The new set – which is based mere feet away from the old studio – has been in the works for several years at the soap’s studio in Elstree
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.’
Construction for the set also continues as filming for all of the UK’s biggest soaps has been thrown into doubt amid the coronavirus outbreak.
On Monday Prime Minister Boris Johnson insisted the members of the public avoid any social contact, and those who are particularly vulnerable ordered to remain at home for at least 12 weeks.
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