Lakeside Shopping Centre, a favourite retail destination for many in the UK, was once the setting for a TV show. The centre, visited by thousands of Essex locals annually, is renowned for its iconic features such as the notorious spire and the large glass bridge that links Chafford Hundred Station to the centre.
The shopping centre first opened its doors on October 25, 1990, after several years of construction. The grand opening was graced by Princess Alexandra, The Honourable Lady Ogilvy, Marcus Bradford and Angus Ogilvy.
Fast forward eight years, and Lakeside became the backdrop for a documentary-style TV show titled ‘Lakesiders’. Narrated by Essex actor Pauline Quirke, known for her role in the Chigwell-based sitcom Birds of A Feather, the series followed the daily activities of the centre’s management, shopkeepers and staff.
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‘Lakesiders’ ran for a total of eight episodes, focusing on characters associated with the popular shopping centre, particularly highlighting their disputes and disagreements.
The series garnered significant attention, attracting around nine million viewers who tuned in weekly to watch the 30-minute episodes. The inaugural episode, aired on BBC One on July 6, 1998, followed the throngs of shoppers who flocked to the centre for the January sales.
Almost a decade after the original series aired, the BBC filmed a revival series, Return to Lakesiders, in 2007. The series was broadcast on BBC Two in 2008 from August 18 to August 22.
Today, Lakeside Shopping Centre is home to over 250 shops and 50 cafes and restaurants.
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