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Shop owners hoping for second TV series

BBC A newsagent shop called Barnett Brothers. The shop sign has been repainted in dark green with yellow letteringBBC
Shops on Corsham High Street were repainted to give them more of a 1980s look

People living and working in the Wiltshire town that set the scene for the TV adaptation of the Jilly Cooper novel Rivals are already hoping there will be a second series.

The butchers, bike shop and newsagents in Corsham all featured in the latest Disney Plus adaptation of the book and all said they benefited from the "bustling" atmosphere the cast and crew created.

Sharon Thomas, from Wiltshire Council, said productions were great for the town's economy.

Toby Haynes, who runs the butchers, said it was "exciting" to be part of the show and he hoped his shop could be featured again.

Toby wearing butcher's overalls inside his shop with meat in a glass window cabinet to his left. He is smiling at the camera
Mr Haynes said it was "exciting" and "hectic" during the production

"It was very hectic," he said.

"There was lots going on, lots of milling about and cameras. It was really quite exciting.

"I would be up for my butchers being in the production again. "

Matt Booker leaning on shelves inside his shop with toys and their boxes on them. He is smiling at the camera and is wearing glasses
Mr Booker said it was really nice to see Corsham "bustling" when the filming crew were there

Matt Booker, who runs Corsham Toy Shop & Automattic Comics, said he "really enjoyed" the first series and the buzz it brought to the town.

"Great characters, great cast, really good and well written," he said.

"Tongue firmly in cheek, I don't think everyone had shoulder pads like that in the 80s and taches as dodgy as Danny Dyers but it was entertaining - a good, fun entertaining comedy of cut-throat entertainment business in the 1980s.

"There was a bustling crew filming in Corsham - it was really nice to see. Bring me some more."

'More than expected'

Corsham Town Hall councillor Sharon Thomas said the town was "in it a little bit more than expected, which was great".

She added: "[In the show] Corsham is Colchester which is the nearest town where it takes place and the old Lloyds Bank building, which is now being converted into a hotel, that was their town hall.

"We get a call or letter from production companies who want to film here and we've had a few since Poldark.

"Our local businesses understand the difference filming here can make."

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