Town Turned Upside Down
Residents living in Chester-le-Street, County Durham found themselves in the middle of chaos as ITV crime drama Vera descended on their town. Quaint cafes were transformed into TV sets as the popular series filmed scenes in the area.
Long Days and Fresh Cakes
Carol Storey, manager of Citrone's café, shared her experience with the film crews. She revealed that they initially planned to film for two days but ended up staying for four. Despite the challenges of working during the Covid pandemic, Storey and her team were dedicated, making sandwiches and cakes every morning. However, due to safety regulations, the food had to be thrown out after filming. Storey also mentioned the crowds that gathered to catch a glimpse of the action, showing the excitement generated by the show's presence in the town.
Respectful Crew
Another café in Wallsend, North Tyneside, called The Meeting Place, was also featured in Vera. Manager Carol Storey compared the experience with that of hosting the Geordie Shore crew. She praised the Vera crew for being more inclusive of the business and for maintaining a quieter atmosphere during filming. The crew set up in the morning and filmed from three until six, allowing the café to continue with business as usual. Storey admitted that she doesn't watch much TV, so the whole experience was taken in stride.
Parking Problems in Tynemouth
Tynemouth residents had a less positive experience during the filming of Vera. Locals criticized the production team for their disorganization and confusion over parking. The show's vans took up parking spaces in the sleepy coastal town, causing annoyance among residents. Despite the hiccups, the crew managed to capture scenes of the protagonist coming and going from a grand Victorian house overlooking the North Sea.
Overall, the presence of Vera in these towns created a buzz among locals, even with the challenges and disruptions that came with it. It seems that the chaos of filming was a small price to pay for the excitement of being part of a popular TV series.
