Quite good adaptation of a Zola novel about life in one of the first department stores. Set in northern England, there's a rich cast of good and not so good people, all trying to make a living as the department store expands at the expense of smaller traders. There is a continuing 'will he, won't he?' storyline for the somewhat conflicted male lead. Joanna Vanderham and Elaine Cassidy are good as the main female leads, and wear their costumes very fetchingly. There are one or two odd minor storylines which seem designed to give other cast members a turn in the spotlight but are dramtically pointless. ( )