High Street Blues (ITV 1989, Phil McCall, Ron Pember)

Sitcom High Street Blues followed a quartet of high street shop owners in the town of Hatford who were fighting to prevent their shops being bought out by the hypermarket Waverley’s chain.

Charlie McFee owned the cobblers, which he runs with the help of his assistant Bob Farthing; The wool shop is run by Mavis Drinkwater and her niece Susan. There was a florist run by Rita and Paula Franks and a junk shop run by Chesney Black. In fact Charlie was keen on the idea of selling to Waverley’s.

Co-Written by comedy legend Jimmy Perry and producer Robin Carr High Street Blues will no go down as one of his best efforts. The overall feel was on the cheap side and playing was too broad. The series only ran for the one season of six episodes.

production details
UK / ITV – London Weekend Television / 6×25 minute episodes / Broadcast 6 January – 10 February 1989 Fridays at 7.00pm

Writers: Jimmy Perry, Robin Carr / Executive Producer: Marcus Plantin / Producer and Director: Robin Carr

cast
Phil McCall as Charlie McFee
Ron Pember as Chesney Black
Elizabeth Stewart as Mavis Drinkwater
Valerie Walsh as Rita Franks
Chris Pitt as Bob Farthing
Victoria Hasted as Susan Drinkwater
Eve Bland as Sheila
Georgia Mitchell as Paula Franks
Johnny Shannon as Sharpe
Martin Turner as Valentine
Shirley Dixon as The Managing Director (voice only)