The Argee Bhajee was an Indian style food restaurant, run by the Masood family. 88-90 George Street was knocked into one building in 1998, when it became an Italian restaurant called Giuseppe's, run by the di Marco clan. George Palmer provided the finance for this Italian restaurant, but it was family head Rosa di Marco who pulled the apron strings.
When the di Marco's made the move to Leicester, Giuseppe's closed down. However, it was later resurrected as the garish Indian restaurant imaginatively named 'The Argee Bhajee' and even had it own stall on Bridge Street called The Argee Bhajee To Go. It was owned by and operated by the Masood family. It was closed when the roof collapsed on Syed Masood and other party guest, however, it was then re-opened but ultimately closed again due to debt issues.
On 17 March 2015, Masood went to the bank to arrange a bank loan to buy the lease of The Argee Bhajee, but the bank would not give him the loan. The building has remained derelict ever since.
In 2021, Iqra, Bobby and other local Muslims began a campaign to repurpose the building as a mosque which drew attention of the far-right group who had started appearing in Albert Square. Aaron Monroe sprayed a swastika on the doors and the group later decided to target the building in a New Year's Eve bomb attack; Neil Hughes planted the explosive and Aaron was supposed to detonate it. The bomb was not detonated because Aaron learnt his sister, Dana, would be across the street at The Albert that night and therefore at risk of harm.
In February 2022, there was a small gas explosion which led to the building being investigated. On 4 February 2022 it was revealed to the audience (but no other characters) that Tina Carter's body had been buried under the floorboards by Gray Atkins. On 25 February 2022 Phil Mitchell and Tommy Moon find her body, not knowing it's her. The body is later recovered by police and identified as Tina.
On 3 April 2023 as Kim Fox takes Denzel Danes home in her car she notices Denise Fox's phone in the car and notices texts from Ravi Gulati calling Denise a cheat. A distracted Kim then crashes the car into The Argee Bhajee, leaving her and Denzel injured.
Previous uses[]
Prior to 1998 when they were knocked through for Giuseppe's Italian Restaurant they were two separate properties.
88 George Street[]
Walford Furnishing Warehouse[]
A home furnishing store which was first seen in 1994.
Its owners were unknown.
Gallery[]
.jpg "Walford Furnishing Warehouse (2 January 1995).jpg (186 KB)")
Hills Hardware[]
A hardware store owned and operated by Ted Hills. It opened in 1995.
By 1997, Ted's business is floundering; he ran up huge debts and had to close the shop. When he is offered a job on a building project in Dubai, he accepts and leaves Walford.
Gallery[]
.JPG "Hills' Hardware vandalised (24 February 1997).JPG (50 KB)")
(24 February 1997)
(14 July 1997)
Homeware[]
A shop which sold household goods.
90 George Street[]
Pet Shop (Unknown Name)[]
A pet shop which closed down prior to 1994.
Kool for Kutz[]
A hair salon which was originally co-run by Steve Elliot and Della Alexander who rented the premises from Mr Kelsey. It opened in April 1994 and closed in May 1995.
On 23 January 1995, Steve tells Della that he only got involved with the business because he thought they would eventually become an item. He decides to cut his loses and informs Della that he will sign over the lease to her as a gift.
In May 1995, Della decided to leave for Ibiza with her girlfriend, Binnie Roberts. She sold the lease for the salon at a profit of £140 as the buyer offered the full rent and said he would take it on until the end of the lease which ended in September. Mr Kelsey was also willing to give Della a discount for paying the full amount in advance. Della later splits the profit equally with Steve at 50/50.
Staff[]
| Name | Position | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Mr Kelsey | Owner | 1994-???? |
| Steve Elliot | Manager | 1994-1995 |
| Della Alexander | Hairdresser;
Manager |
1994-1995 |
| Dixie | Hairdresser Assistant | 1994 |
| Binnie Roberts | Apprentice Hairdresser | 1995 |
| Lydia | Apprentice Hairdresser | 1995 |
Gallery[]
.jpg "Last day of Kool for Kutz (15 May 1995).jpg (225 KB)")
Felix (1995-1997)[]
A gentlemen's barber shop owned by Felix Kawalski.
When Felix left Walford to live in Israel, the premises was sold to Walford Council, but then was sold again shortly after to George Palmer.
Gallery[]
Exterior[]
.jpg "Felix (14 November 1995).jpg (289 KB)")
(14 November 1995)
.jpg "Felix (19 August 1996).jpg (237 KB)")
(19 August 1996)
By The Letter (1997)[]
A print shop owned by Annie and George Palmer, used as a front for their illegal activities. It opened and closed in 1997.
Staff[]
| Name | Position | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Annie Palmer | Owner | 1997 |
| George Palmer | Owner | 1997 |
Gallery[]
Exterior[]
Pets Parlour[]
A shop that gave pets a pedicure. It closed in 1998.
Gallery[]
88-90 George Street[]
Giuseppe's (1998 - 2000)[]
Giuseppe's was a family-run Italian restaurant that sold Italian cuisine. It was ran by Rosa di Marco, assisted by Beppe di Marco and Gianni di Marco. The restaurant was named after their late patriarch, Giuseppe di Marco.
George Palmer, along with his daughter Annie and businessman Ian Beale, had helped set up the business. Ian distanced himself when he learnt of Annie's dodgy dealings at her club, The Market Cellar. When George left Walford, he sold the business to Rosa. The restaurant remained open until 2000 when the family departed Walford.
Staff[]
| Name | Position | Year |
|---|---|---|
| George Palmer | Owner | 1998 |
| Annie Palmer | Owner | 1998 |
| Ian Beale | Owner | 1998 |
| Rosa di Marco | Owner | 1998-2000 |
| Beppe di Marco | Chef | 1998-2000 |
| Gianni di Marco | Chef | 1998-1999 |
| Teresa di Marco | Waitress | 1998-2000 |
| Jeff Healy | Waiter | 1998-???? |
| Sarah Hills | Waitress | 1999 |
| Jackie Owen | Waitress | 1999-2000 |
Gallery[]
Exterior[]
.jpg "The Argee Bhajee Sign (23 November 2017).jpg (377 KB)")
(23 November 2017)
.jpg "The Argee Bhajee (8 February 2022).jpg (445 KB)")
(8 February 2022)
Interior[]
.jpg "The Argee Bhajee (2011).jpg (185 KB)")
.jpg "The Argee Bhajee 1 (7 February 2022).jpg (317 KB)")
(7 February 2022)
.jpg "The Argee Bhajee 2 (7 February 2022).jpg (399 KB)")
(7 February 2022)
(25 February 2022)
Miscellaneous[]
.jpg "The Argee Bhajee Lease (31 August 2021).jpg (270 KB)")
(31 August 2021)