ALREADY at the head of the Hop along with the Hide Cafe, Kim Tate makes a surprise investment.
The businesswoman has big news that affects the villagers in an upcoming instalment of Emmerdale, due to air next week.
While Dawn Taylor (Olivia Bromley) prepares her wedding with Billy Fletcher (Jay Kontzle), Kim seems to have other ventures on her mind.
Intrigued by an auction catalogue, the long-term character portrayed by Claire King flicks through it and, soon enough, a potential investment piques her interest.
Later on, Kim apologises to Dawn for missing out on her hen do before heading off to the Auction House, dressed to the nines.
During a phone call, she then appears with a smug look on her face as it becomes clear that she has purchased something profitable.
Residents of the eponymous are then disconcerted when Kim has news that affects the entire community.
Will Kim become the new owner of the Woolpack?
Read our soap spoilers live blog for the latest gossip
The purchase wouldn’t surprise Will Taylor (Dean Andrews) who is the first to figure out that Kim could set a bid for the pub.
But when Charity Dingle (Emma Atkins) overhears this, she is far from over the moon.
When the rumour is brought to her attention, Chas hits the roof and explains that losing the Woolpack, especially to Kim who has feuded with the Dingle clan on numerous occasions, would break her heart.
Chas is so defeated, she initially refuses to show up at the auction, not wanting to see Kim snatch the Woolpack from her.
But if Kim truly wants to set her hands on the Woolpack, she first has to outbid a freshly disowned Cain (Jeff Hordley) who is just as determined to set things straight for his family after destroying a potential deal with Al Chapman.
However, the hot-headed character is outbid and a mystery investor becomes the Woolpack’s new owner.
Faith does all she can to find out their identity but her efforts are vain.
Chas and Marlon are then hit with the news: the auction winner would like to meet them.
But is Kim about to hit them with a bombshell?
While it is likely, Emmerdale fans are also predicting a surprise twist with an unexpected name thrown into the mix.
Will the Woolpack remain in the Dingle family?
Although ITV promised a change in its schedule, Emmerdale airs on weeknights at 7pm, with a second instalment every Thursday at 8pm.
