The new Queen Vic pub has finally been revealed as the £87million EastEnders set continued.
The extensive project, which has been built next door to the original set, appeared to be almost ready in new images revealed on Tuesday, as work on the project carries on amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The iconic pub had previously been shrouded in plastic sheeting and scaffolding as work on the building got underway, but the brand new pale brick exterior of the Queen Vic is now visible.
Wow! The new Queen Vic pub has finally been revealed as the £87million EastEnders set in Borehamwood continued on Tuesday
The old pub featured a deep red paneling around the building with gold detailing and lettering, it is currently unclear whether the watering hole will be exactly the same or undergo a revamp.
The Queen Vic appears to be having its new windows fitted at the moment, while the roof terrace on the building looks ready to be used when filming resumes in the future.
Earlier this month, images showed the set buzzing with activity as work continued amid the COVID-19 outbreak.
Working hard: The extensive project, which has been built next door to the original set, appeared to be almost ready in new images revealed on Tuesday, as work on the project carries on amid the coronavirus pandemic
Before and after: The left image shows the current pub while the right image shows the new Queen Vic under construction
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 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.
Lone site workers were spotted in protective gear as they busily went about their tasks, keeping a fair distance from one another.
After: The old pub featured a deep red paneling around the building with gold detailing and lettering, it is currently unclear whether the watering hole will be exactly the same or undergo a revamp
Now and then! The left image shows the current Albert Square being used for filming while the right reveals the new one
Under construction: Earlier this month, images showed the set buzzing with activity as work continued amid the COVID-19 outbreak
Old: The old railway station has also been reconstructed for the new set (pictured in 2015)
The BBC was accused of ‘complacency’ over the astonishing £87 million bill for its new EastEnders set in March.
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.
Characters: Current characters including Phil Mitchell and Linda Carter aren’t expected to use the set until 2023
Safety first: 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 hygiene
Matter of opinion: 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
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’.
Action packed: Ben Mitchell and Peter Beale will no doubt film explosive storylines on the new set
Keeping safe: Lone site workers were spotted in protective gear as they busily went about their tasks, keeping a fair distance from one another
Under fire: The BBC was accused of ‘complacency’ over the astonishing £87 million bill for its new EastEnders set in March
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.
Running late: 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
Criticism: 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
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.
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.
Claims: The public accounts committee said they secured a contract poorly, drastically increasing costs
Decisions: 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