Episode 1 The Street

This programme contains very strong language

Sauchiehall Street is one of the most famous streets in Scotland.

By day, thousands are employed in its shops and offices.

By night, it attracts hordes of visitors to its restaurants,

bars and clubs.

And, at the weekend, the Street

has a reputation as one of the most buzzing places to go out in Glasgow.

-Sauchiehall Street. Suck A Ball Street.

-Sausage Roll Street.

Sausage Roll Street.

The street follows the lives of a number of people over

the course of a year, as they try to earn their crust...

There was a couple of wee fucking wanks scratching their fucking dicks

for eight hours this morning. Look at this, man.

-Hey, guys!

-..protect the public...

Well, you feel worried about what's going to happen. It could kill them.

-..make sweet music...

-Another pound. I can buy some...

A loaf of bread.

I'm not a greedy person, but a pound counts.

..and struggle to make a living...

I don't have a problem with closing your business down,

but I don't want to do it.

..on one of Scotland's most iconic streets.

So, basically, they're all spineless bastards, in my view.

One of Sauchiehall Street's

most recognisable faces has just started work.

# ..in love. #

Happy birthday, darling.

Melo has been busking since he came to Glasgow nearly 15 years ago.

Yeah, man.

Yeah, yeah, I'm the longest guy in this street, yeah.

I can say that out loud.

Even some dudes used to say they used to busk, you know, this,

they are doing, like...

What do they call that one? Pop Idol, or whatever.

They say they used to busk, I've never seen the guy ever in my life.

They used to busk, maybe, one day.

Yeah, that's what you call busking, isn't it(?)

A lot of people tell me, "I like what you're doing in the street."

I've been called Jimi Hendrix lots of nights.

I've lived like a rock star, in a way, yes.

Girls kissing me all over, when I'm out playing, saying it's beautiful.

They say," I've got no money," but, yeah, they will go a kiss.

That's all right, isn't it?

Oh, my God. The beauty! Oh, my God!

Pass out, me.

-Melo is taking a break.

-Well, man, medicine time.

He's having a drink just across the road,

so he can keep an eye on his things...

-Yes?

-I'll have a Guinness, please.

-A Guinness?

-And blackcurrant, please.

-..and to wait for his friend and fellow busker, Craig Nelson.

-Cheers.

I'm waiting for Nelson, the saxophone player.

Me and Nelson, we've known each other probably...

I can't remember. Maybe from about...'99, 2000.

I used to see Nelson play by himself.

Ever since, we just became friends.

Yeah, maybe we had one or two, one or two fallouts,

but we are very good friends. We always have a laugh. There's my man.

So, are you going to have a little pint and wait for the boys, or...?

-Aye, well...

-Melo also has to ask Craig a favour.

He was evicted from his flat last night and he needs Craig's help.

It's all my gear. The laptops, bass guitar, piano. I had to move flat.

Just a misfortune that I'm having at the moment with the people I meet.

-This and... This and that!

-This and that!

In the past, Melo has had to rely on friends to put a roof over his head.

But after many years of it, Craig is the only person left he can ask.

Nestled in the heart of the pedestrianised shopping end

of Sauchiehall Street is a haven for small retailers called

the Savoy Centre.

It's home to over 60 independent shops and, in its 20-year history,

it's become an institution for bargain hunters.

OK, guys. Just go down that entrance there. It's OK.

For the last three years, the centre has been run by manager Jim

-and assistant manager Neil.

-Is it Jim Collins you're looking for?

Right, OK. Are you his girlfriend?

You sound as if you're a wee bit of a saucy bit of stuff.

-Good afternoon, Savoy Centre, Glasgow.

-You are a big bit of stuff?

HE LAUGHS

If you phone him before 11 o'clock, his wife's not in

-and then you'll not cause any hassle then, hen.

-All right, bye.

Right, darling, you take care.

Bye-bye. Bye-bye, sweetheart. Bye-bye.

93 years old. 93 and she sounds as if she's 25.

Unbelievable.

Because of the economic downturn,

-the Savoy Centre has seen more prosperous times.

-It's been better.

You know, it's been better. Like any...

any independent retailer, it's tough. It's really, really tough.

There seems to be a dividing line, you know,

the high-end retailers, like John Lewis,

and supermarkets and the likes, you know,

they seem to be doing reasonably well, but the smaller,

the more independent, the more niche, are struggling.

-Have you got that letter, Neil, or no?

-Yeah.

Neil and Jim have a plan, though, to turn the Savoy around.

Basically, we're looking at Sunday openings, which should have been

done 20 years ago but, unfortunately, it's getting done and addressed now.

Quick survey down Sauchiehall Street suggests that we are the only

retail outlet that's not open on a Sunday,

so, therefore, we have to address that and address it now.

Some retailers are happy about it, some retailers are going with it.

There's a couple of retailers that are showing a bit of resistance,

but we are trying as best as we possibly can to let them

feel as though it is the way they need to go forward.

Leading the opposition is shoe shop owner, Ian.

These units don't come cheap.

It's a substantial amount of money for the size of unit we have

and they are looking to increase that by another 8%...

..for opening on Sunday, which, as I say,

the centre should have been open 20 years ago. Not now on a Sunday.

So, they're too late with it.

Everyone's told him that they're not paying,

but we got less than a handful,

people on Friday who withheld that extra, so, you know,

he's got to be intelligent enough to realise it's almost a losing battle.

I, personally, don't think it's efficient for us

to justify the cost for us to do it.

It doesn't bear thinking about, if we don't move forward with this place.

But it's not costing yous any money.

The benefits to yous are far greater than anybody else.

I'm not prepared to pay any more money in rent.

Well, if you are not prepared to, I don't have any alternative

but to serve you notice on the unit, if you don't pay.

I'm not prepared to pay any more money.

So, if you're looking for more money, I'm out.

Do you want to have a think about it over the weekend?

No, because I've thought about it. I'm not paying you any more money.

-How did that go?

-Not very well.

Well, to the point of view that I've just said, I'm moving out.

Well, in six weeks' time, as far as I'm concerned.

Obviously, rather disappointed at the attitude they're taken.

They're not interested in the retailers as such, like.

They're interested in making money and nothing else, like.

Very unfair.

Um...I don't agree with it.

And, as I say, currently now, I have chosen to with...

-withdraw from the premises.

-Not exactly the way I wanted it to go.

I don't think it's the way that Ian wanted it to go, either,

to be honest with you.

If we compromise with Ian, where does that leave the butcher?

Where does that leave the cobbler?

And where does that leave the small independent girl downstairs,

with the handbags, that paid us the extra money?

You know, we simply have to... There can't be a compromise.

Had a meeting here, as well, a fortnight ago,

where there was 30 retailers turned up,

who were all in favour of not paying the increase,

not opening on Sunday and, here we are a fortnight later,

they've all caved in and agreed to do it.

So, basically, they're all spineless bastards, in my view.

-Jim can't afford to lose retailers at this crucial stage.

-Thank you.

Thank you.

And Ian isn't the only one threatening to leave.

Right, well, we're going to be another 40 minutes. So, I reckon...

Back down the street,

Melo is still in need of somewhere to sleep tonight.

Cheers, brother.

But, lucky for him, Craig has agreed to let him stay.

Yeah, yeah, I'm going to have another one,

but I'm going to have, like, a...

man's drink.

We, kind of... We've helped each other out a bit.

I stayed with him for a while and he stayed with me,

but not that much, but, I mean, on a temporary level, at least,

maybe he has less options than he might have had six months ago.

-Double Jaeger.

-It's not going to be, like, and open-ended thing,

but eventually I'm sure he'll get something, do you know what I mean?

I'm out.

Craig's only got a one-bedroom flat

and is letting Melo stay on his couch, on the strict understanding

that he has to start saving or he'll be back on the street.

Halfway along Sauchiehall Street is a new takeaway restaurant,

called Taste.

Baguette. Two baguettes down here, please.

Hi, what can I get for yous guys?

Catering mainly to office and shop workers,

it already has a good reputation for serving freshly made food.

Davy, get some peppers out, will you?

We need to get veggie chilli sorted out.

It's run by Nick, who is a highly-trained chef.

He's returned home to Glasgow

after working in upmarket London restaurants.

There you go, mate. Cheers, buddy. Enjoy that.

It's a fresh start for Nick.

His time in London led to a serious drug addiction

-and a long stint in rehab.

-Cannabis was a major problem for us.

Cocaine was a fucking monumental problem.

-How much would you be taking?

-An ounce. About an ounce. £1,000 worth.

-But how often?

-Cocaine. A week. £1,000 worth a week.

Every day I was doing it.

I counted up, when I was in rehab, how much I spent on it.

Basically, a house and a Ferrari I put up my nose.

Nick opened Taste with his childhood friend, Kiddie.

Sometimes it can be a bit hard,

because we've been friends for so long.

We take things a wee bit too personally.

But at the end of the day, we can still have a laugh together, so...

-It's OK. It's good.

-I don't lie any more.

I don't cheat on people.

Er...

I'm not a fucking psychopath. I was mental, man. I was insane.

I mean, I can laugh at it now, but if you don't laugh at it,

you know what I mean, you've got to be fully aware of it,

cos the second I take my eye off the ball,

I'm fucking round that Bath Street in the boozer, you know what I mean?

That's... That's what it's going to be like for me.

If I'm mad wi' it, this place would fucking...

This place would be shut a month, if I go back on it.

Back at the Savoy, Jim has lost the battle to get Ian to open

and there's a second retailer still refusing to pay.

Hi, have you got one minute, please?

Basically, you've not paid any more rent.

-Yeah.

-Well, we are going to have to close you, then.

We are going to have to close your business.

-This Sunday, I follow what everyone doing.

-No, everybody is paying.

There's only one guy not paying downstairs and you.

-That's all that's not paying.

-No.

You want to round to the office and I'll show you?

-Is he paying?

-He's paid. He's... Excuse me.

He's paid, he's paid, he's paid, she's paid, he's paid. She's paid.

They've paid. The mobile phone guy has paid.

The guy with the hair has paid. The guy with the hair has paid.

-The guy with the confectionery has paid.

-OK, you go... I go ask them.

Yeah, yeah.

-Are you just quite happy to tell that guy that you've paid for Sunday's trading?

-Oh, yes.

-Yeah?

-Yes, I did, today.

-You've paid for the Sunday trading, haven't you?

-Yes.

Yeah. I don't have a problem with closing your business down,

but I don't want to do it.

The Sunday, it's not opened up, because I have followed everybody.

-Right, so you are happy to do that?

-I have...

-Right, shake on that.

-Yeah.

With one more trader talked round,

the pressure is now on Jim to make sure Sundays bring in trade.

-I don't want to do anything with that.

-I paid...

Back in Taste...

Save The Children and fucking Shelter and all that, man.

They're doing a good cause, man, but they are a fucking pure...

We walk across the road to take the tables out, they're like,

"Hello, sir. Hello there, have you got a minute?

"Have you got a minute there?" Fuck off!

Running over to get a carton of milk or something like that.

"Oh, hello." And they get pure offended if you tell them to bolt.

They're like, "Oh, fine. Attitude."

While the charity collectors work the street, Nick has one last

thing to do before he shuts up shop.

So, basically, I work for Glasgow Regeneration Agency and Kevin

attends our training programme in the south west.

It's a get ready for work programme.

So, Kevin is along for a placement interview with Nick

and, if the placement interview goes well,

then, hopefully, Nick will be able to offer Kevin a starting place

for work experience and, hopefully,

if all that goes well, then there might be an

employment opportunity at the end of his placement.

It's my first time, so I'm, actually, kind of, nervous,

but, hopefully, if I go for another one, I'll know what to do,

so, hopefully, all goes well.

What you need to do is, basically, explain to Kevin what

you would be expecting from him

and what he can expect the work experience placement to be like.

You're learning everything, the daily setting up of the kitchen.

It's not just a cafe.

This is a kitchen and the customers are the waiters, know what I mean?

They're walking in, giving us their order and walking out,

know what I mean? And if this is what you want to do, you'll soon find out

whether it is or isn't, do you know what I mean?

When my choices came up for fifth year...

Nick could use another pair of hands, but taking on Kevin,

who has never worked, could be more hassle than it's worth.

You seem like you could do that.

I can see something in you, do you know what I mean?

-So, all right with that?

-Aye.

-Well done, sir.

-Monday?

-Listen, Nick, thanks very much.

-No bother. Thank you.

OK, Davy, big man? Davy? Kevin. See you later, mate.

Thank you very much.

He seems a lot more on the ball than I think he knows. I don't know.

I can see something and I can't explain it

when I see something in somebody. I just see it, know what I mean?

See a bit of myself in him or something like that, know what I mean?

It's late on the street...

THEY SHOUT

.and Melo is still out busking.

He's played on the same spot for years

and has become a popular attraction for people on their way home.

# I've got a black magic woman.

# She got me so blind, I can't see

# Oooh-oooh-oooh. #

Melo doesn't claim benefits,

-so busking is his only source of income.

-What's up, brother?

Come on, mate. Give me a chance. I need some money, man.

He always earns better money busking alone.

This is a lesson that my mother said to me.

Do things on your own, you'll be fine.

If, along the way, you find friends, they're good, they'll be good.

If not, it's life. It takes time, maybe, to lock, to... Not lock. To...

To... I've just been insulted again. That's what happens.

Called you a black bastard.

-Can...

-But Melo's good time is cut short.

..fucking British and homeless. Right?

You're taking the fucking piss, that's what you're doing.

You're sitting here, milking the country for thousands,

you fucking black bastard, you.

-OK, thank you very much.

-Are you trying to say you're not?

OK, thank you very much.

How much do you make sitting here busking every fucking day?

-You make thousands.

-Obviously... Obviously is, like...

-You're a black bastard, admit it.

-Thank you very much.

-Admit it.

You are a black fuck. I pay tax every fucking month.

-Can you play a note to save yourselves?

-Hundreds of pounds...

to keep you in the fucking country, you black bastard.

Stay away from me, man. Serious.

Serious, brother.

If you have a problem with me, you get it. Serious.

You want problem with me, you get it. Go ahead. Go ahead. Go ahead.

You get it. Both of you. Serious. I'm quick.

Serious, get away from me. The both of you. Serious. I am serious.

-You black bastard.

-I am serious. I am black and I'm proud. You try me.

Fucking try me. Fuck off. Serious. Serious. I'm not joking.

I'm not joking. I'm not joking.

I'm not joking. Serious. Leave me alone. Don't even go coward on me.

Leave me alone. Serious.

There you go. That's what you get for being stupid.

I just don't want to take advantage. Leave me alone. Serious.

Leave me alone. The both of you. Fucking hell. I swear on my life.

You want to fuck me up, go ahead. Any move you do, I'll fuck you up.

Go ahead. I'll bury you both into the floor. Go ahead. Go. Go. Serious.

I'm serious. I need to defend myself, because you guys are pissing me off.

Serious. Serious. Fuck off.

-Fuck off.

-By the way...

-I'm a black bastard and I'm fucking proud.

-Fuck off.

-That's what you get in Scotland, by the way.

-Fuck off.

You're the fucking scum...

THEY SHOUT

Do I need to get to the fucking hospital? Do I? Fuck off, man.

Fuck off. Fuck off. Serious. You try it on me. Fuck off. Fuck off, man.

Fuck off. Leave me alone.

Leave me alone. What have I done? I know I'm black, and I'm proud.

Fuck off. Serious. Fuck you. Serious. Serious.

-Fuck you.

-Fucking hit me.

-Leave me alone.

-No, but...

-You ask him. He is the same, he's the same. He's the same.

-Are you OK, Melo?

-I'm all right, brother. This is what it is.

I was trying to start a moment of joy. All of a sudden, I'm a bastard.

What have I done?

No, it's not just Glasgow. Everywhere. Everywhere you go.

-Everywhere you go.

-All of this for a fucking...

See you, you black bastard, I'm going to punch your cunt in.

-This is what happens...

-Let's chill out, all right?

-I am chilled.

-No, you are getting yourself a wee bit worked up.

-Because...

Over in the south side of Glasgow, Craig has moved Melo's things

into his flat and is waiting up for him.

Och, I can't even be bothered thinking about time frames.

It's like I keep on setting the day, then just moving it back,

so I can't even be bothered any more.

He knows that I'd rather be by myself.

He knows that I'm hardly delighted he's here.

So, he has a conscience, you know.

If he knows that he's imposing on somebody then, like,

deep down, that's going to kick in and, eventually, he's going to

want to find his own place to live.

It just starts to feel like you are taking advantage of somebody,

you know, so just move.

BUZZER

That sounds like Melo outside.

-All right, bro.

-All right there.

You've got alley flats going on.

Right, cool, man, catch you in a bit, man.

Craig leaves Melo to get settled in.

I was just practising, anyway.

Tonight's fight has brought back memories of the first day

Melo arrived in Glasgow from Portugal, 15 years ago.

I'm walking down... down the... What do you call it, is it Ibrox?

It was maybe the second day or third day or something.

A multitude of people.

"You fucking black bastard!"

I was only a kid, man, twentysomething, 21 or something.

"You fucking black bastard!"

Since then, this has been every day.

Yeah.

In Taste, it's new start Kevin's first week of work

and Nick's left the training up to his right-hand man, Kiddie.

You can do the onions, you know how to do the onions, don't you?

-The red onions...

-Aye.

Do about eight of them.

He's OK, aye.

You can tell in him that it's his first job. He's young.

At the end of the day,

I was watching a thing on telly last night,

there's one million young people

in Britain right now who are unemployed.

It's a struggle for people to get work out there.

When I left school, I got my CV ready and everything.

Trying all... Trying to see what I can get.

I went to five, six shops with CVs

and I never heard back from any one of them.

I went for a job and the guy said, "Usually we get 30 people."

He told me there was 150 applying for the one job, that's how bad it is.

I want to see him standing about less and just go and...

"Can I do this, can I do that?" You know what I mean?

A lot of people are too quick to do that. Teapot pose, I call it.

I've been, basically, looking since I left school right up to now.

And I've still not heard from any.

Right, Kevin, so that stuff, get it up the stairs.

This is all going into tubs, yeah. They are all getting wrapped up...

Nick is giving Kevin his first chance,

but, in return he has high expectations.

Clean all the walls. I'll come and check you before you go.

One end of Sauchiehall Street has over 20 bars, restaurants and clubs.

New bars have a hard time making an impact.

But after three weeks, Barbushka is starting to make a name for itself.

Since it opened, it's been run by manager, Lee.

In Sauchiehall Street, there's 15-20 bars that are

all competing against each other, to try and steal the trade.

So, it is really hard.

You've got to stay one step ahead of everybody else.

So, if we're quiet and not making money,

then I've got to take the hit for it.

I accept that I'm failing,

so when we are doing well, I'll get the plaudits and credit for it.

It is on me a lot of the time, but I understand that.

It's the same with any manager of any bar. It's on your shoulders.

Lee has been trying to attract a higher-end customer.

But with thousands of people about to descend on Sauchiehall Street,

the challenge will be keeping it that way.

DANCE MUSIC PLAYS

Ah!

If you've no' got a lumber by now,

you shouldn't be getting one in the taxi queue.

Let's go down.

How many vodkas was it, mate?

Slowly starting to pick up.

So it's just a case of getting everything sorted for the night ahead.

I'm, like, talking to all the security guys,

so I'm in touch with all them.

So, if I need anything, if I see anything that they don't see, I'm in

contact with them, to make sure that everything goes smoothly.

In a packed bar, Lee can't keep an eye on everyone,

so he'll be on high alert for the rest of the night.

PLAYS FUNKY SAXOPHONE

Up and down the length of the street, the pubs are filling up

and beginning to spill out onto the pavement.

To try and help people who end up a little worse for wear,

a band of Christians have volunteered to go out in small teams

across Glasgow and offer assistance.

Our God, we just thank you

for the privilege of taking you in the streets...

The Street Pastors start with a group prayer, led by Margaret.

Now go with us, Father, that's what we ask.

In the precious name of our Lord Jesus Christ, amen.

You OK, you've got your fleece with you?

Margaret and the other pastors split into teams and head out.

After four years helping on the streets, Margaret is fully aware

that weekend nights can sometimes be dangerous.

I'm 62, so I wouldn't come into town at this time of night,

I'd be too scared to go in the town!

But the minute, I know I 'm going out to do something,

it's God that's taking me out and it's different.

What does your husband think?

He was, kind of, wary about going out on the street

at this time of night, but after four years now, he's OK.

He keeps the bed warm on that side.

He moves over to let me in!

He's a good man. After 40 years of marriage, he's well trained!

THEY LAUGH

As Margaret heads off, another team is right behind, led by Brodie.

We live in a society which does everything in extremes, doesn't it?

Whether it's, you know, extreme wealth or extreme celebrity,

and people are going to drink to excess.

It's not my call to judge people,

but what I can do is help people.

By the time the pastors are out, the town's already jumping

and Margaret spots an opportunity to practise

what the pastors are famous for.

Hi, lass. Excuse us. Would you like a pair of flip-flops?

No cost to you, nothing. Just to cut you down.

Oh, do you know what? This is absolutely brilliant.

-That's good, then. You'll get up the road safely.

-You're a life-saver.

I guess part of the rationale behind the flip-flops is it saves

people ending up in A&E, getting their foot stitched up,

because they've stepped on the bit of glass.

-Thanks very much.

-God bless you. Bless you, lass.

But it's also symbolic of what we're about.

I guess the technical term would be, it's a sign of God's grace.

-Boo-ya!

-Sorry.

It's madness what a wee pair of flip-flops does, isn't it?

Just brightens somebody's day up.

Back at Babushka...

It's starting to quieten off. I'll have a wee look at the rest

of the street, just to see where else is busy.

Because we're a new bar, the novelty's not worn off yet.

You usually find, with a new bar, it's busy for a bit

and then the novelty wears off. But right now,

I think because we are the newest bar on the street,

we are getting a lot of the trade which is good for me, obviously.

But it's not long before he gets word of two men acting

suspiciously in the toilets.

It was the toilet attendant who saw what happened,

pointed a guy out to the steward. The steward will deal with them.

I'm not sure if it's somebody who's just too drunk or not.

Nine times out of ten, it's just a drunk giving a bit of abuse so...

With a high-end bar comes high-end party drugs

and Lee can't take any chances.

DANCE MUSIC PLAYS

The stewards spot the men and move in.

But without much persuasion, the men head out the door quietly.

Erm, I'm not sure.

I think the boys had been a bit suspicious in the toilets.

I don't know what they were doing. Just a complaint made

and, as soon as the stewards approached the two guys,

they were obviously guilty in some way, because they headed towards the door.

But as soon as we get a snippet of something that's going on,

guys acting suspicious, guys acting aggressive, get them out.

But Lee can't relax for long.

This time, a man gets shown the door

and for some reason, the stewards seem unwilling to shake his hand...

I'm not going to tell you again. Get away from the door.

Tell me what happened.

I was just standing, watching

and the next minute you know, he's got his meat and two veg out.

Shaking it about quite vigorously.

"Come on." "Nah, you're all right."

Apparently, a gentleman had his, er, trousers undone

and was exposing himself, which is just... We can't...

-We don't do that in here, do we?

-Not at all.

-Nah, you can't.

Especially, in all seriousness, when there's girls about, you can't do that.

If you do that in the street, you'll get arrested.

It's still a good crowd, but there's always one.

There might be the odd female showing an arse or something.

-We tolerate that type of thing.

-LEE LAUGHS

If a girl does that, you wouldn't ask her to leave.

You'd have the phone out.

WHOOPING

This is probably the best night we've had since we've opened.

A couple of guys politely asked to leave.

As soon as they were approached by the stewards, they left,

so that, all in all, was a good night.

After a few small incidents,

Lee's just about managed to keep Babushka's reputation intact.

Have you got a blanket and everything?

In the centre of town,

Margaret has spotted a new face living rough in the street.

Do you need a bunnet?

The pastors hand out free hats, gloves

and sleeping bags to the homeless.

Do you mind if we pray with you?

Father God, we just thank you for Michael and he's safe here just now,

but Lord, we ask your protection.

He's out on the streets at night, father.

And I pray you'll give Michael the help that he needs,

but be close to him in the days that lie ahead

and I pray these things in Jesus' name and for your glory. Amen.

Right. A hug? Bless you, son.

'He's skipping tonight, but he's got a safe place.'

Skippering means that they are homeless

and they're going to find just a wee hole where they know they can go.

Sometimes, it's not safe to skipper.

Some people have thrown lighters into the cardboard.

We found that out, which was really, really sad,

didn't we, Christine? Which was very sad. They thought it was funny.

How can it be funny when you set somebody alight inside somewhere?

It's Sunday morning. At the Savoy,

assistant manager Neil is in to open the doors.

Footfall has to be high today, to make it worthwhile for the traders -

that is, if any turn up.

Today's going to be the first day of our Sunday opening.

There's been some very positive people with it,

there's been a few people not quite so positive,

but we just need to see how today goes.

Ao we're in nice and early, open up, and just need to play it by ear.

Despite Neil's fears, every retailer is getting ready for business.

Well, nearly.

Iain's shoe shop is still shut.

So with only Iain left standing his ground,

the centre's ready for its first customers.

-Are you open?

-Indeed, we are, yes. In you come.

We've never opened before on a Sunday,

nobody else has ever been in the centre on a Sunday.

You're making history today.

-But it means you need to buy something, as well.

-Oh, does it?!

Otherwise, you're not a customer!

Otherwise, you're just browsing.

-You get to see it.

-Thanks very much.

-Thanks a lot.

'Our job as landlords, if you like, is to bring people in.'

And now it's up to the retailers to show them what they've got for sale,

show them the value and, hopefully, those two women will walk out

with bags full of stuff.

Neil has had his first few customers through the door,

but he'll need a lot more if Sunday openings are going to work.

BUSKER PLAYS

Down the street, Craig is out for a day of busking,

with his drummer, Charlie,

while across the road, Melo can only sit and watch.

He and Charlie have refused to play together

after a bust-up earlier.

-He don't want to talk to me.

-The thing is, when we all go back out,

you don't just say to Charlie, "Right, I said I'm not going to

"say anything, but I'm going to say this."

-There can't be anything like that.

-I'm not like that.

-You are, though.

You say, "I'm not going to say anything, but one more thing..."

-You better not.

-I'll be back in a second.

Charlie became too holy,

and he's thinking that anyone that drinks a pint,

anyone that smokes a spliff,

will go to hell.

If Charlie doesn't want to talk, I don't want to play with Charlie.

Right, sometimes Melo smokes a bit of grass.

Charlie has quite strict Christian principles,

and that is... For him, that's the same,

like, he's uncomfortable with that.

Now, sometimes, I'll be turning up there just as intoxicated as Melo.

But Melo, like, when he has a bit, he just gets rowdy,

gets confrontational, and to deal with it on a day-to-day basis

can be quite draining, you know?

After a week in the flat,

Melo hasn't yet made any effort to find a place of his own.

Plus there was, "Oh, yeah, you can stay for an indefinite time,"

And, up to a point, that is true,

but I would like it sooner rather than later, do you know what I mean?

But, hopefully, he's going to realise I'm actually his last option

and it is ridiculous that I'm his last option.

There's a lot of other people he's been staying with,

but he's just wound them up and frayed their patience the same way

he probably will mine, you know?

HE LAUGHS And it's just like that, you know?

I'm the last chance saloon.

This is Lord Nelson's last-chance saloon, you know?

Yeah, man, I'm going to have another Guinness.

We're going to finish and leave about four o'clock, just after four.

OK?

By just after lunch on the first day of Sunday opening,

the traders are not busy.

Jim and Neil are a little deflated.

I would have been happier if it was a wee bit busier.

Sad thing is, I was driving in this morning

and I was thinking, there are people, retailers, that want this to fail.

Crazy.

They want it to fail. I used to be a retailer in here

and I had various other centres, as well, so I share a bit of pain,

I'm a bit subdued,

but only because I just wish there was a wee bit more people out there.

Things haven't started with a bang.

But Jim and Neil are about to up their marketing efforts

around the Savoy's new Sunday opening.

It's early morning. At Taste, Kiddie and Nick

are waiting on new-start Kevin to come in.

Kevin's had all week to prove himself,

but Nick isn't happy.

Get these sinks filled up with hot, soapy water

for this fucking moron coming in.

Show him how it's done from the fucking start.

-I'll dae them this afternoon.

-Naw, you don't need to be daein' them.

'Kevin continued not to pull his weight.'

I tell him, "You can be out the door for three o'clock,

"so long as you get everything done." And...

..he still just, he knows once four o'clock comes,

he'll walk out the door and we'll do it.

Bit lazy. He's good one day, lazy the next.

Need a bit of consistency to him.

He does seem to, when it gets to three o'clock, totally slow down.

Get your fucking arse in gear or get your arse out.

Simple. That's basics, know what I mean?

It's the way I was told it. Dae it or don't, and fuck off.

If you don't want to be here, we don't want you here.

Right, Kevin. See today?

I don't want it any way like it's been the last few days.

I've sat up there and watched you last night,

and you're standing, after I'd told you hot water,

in there, soapy, hot water in there,

get all the dishes done as soon as you can,

and don't stand like that with the cold water running like that

like I stood and watched you doing last night.

I done these dishes in four fucking minutes last night.

If I'd made you dae them, you'd still fucking be here washing them.

I want to see you coming to me at three o'clock going, "Done it.

"Fuck you, let me go home now."

Know what I mean? Like I used to do.

That's the best thing you can ever dae to anybody,

specially if they're giving you bollockings.

Just fucking dae it better than they done it and get it to fuck.

It's Friday, let's get out the door at three o'clock today.

But as I say, if no', mate, you'll go out the door at four o'clock

and you'll no' be coming back, mate. So get on with it.

Kiddie's got a list up there for you.

I've got sandwich boxes, I want the sandwiches done early today.

I think I' kind of' had it coming,

cos...he did say yesterday, "If you ever do it again, you'll be out"

and he gave me a second chance.

So this is probably my chance to actually do it.

He's at the stage now he's no' going to be fucking missed' if he goes,

so...what can I dae? There's no point in me struggling through

with somebody that's no' really fucking intae it.

Chef's life.

Fuckin' nightmare, man.

At the Savoy, Neil and Jim have finally got the footfall figures

from last Sunday.

It could have been better.

There was a couple of, maybe, mitigating circumstances.

Celtic live on television, council television, for a start.

And Jim's on the phone to his boss, to give him the news.

We'll just run wi' it, at the moment.

Nobody's come and banged the door and said, "Eff off."

It's just... We've got to do it, it's as simple as that.

A couple of people were asking, "What were the traders saying?"

You want the God's honest answer? I've no' asked them,

because I don't want to provoke it.

My experience is, don't treat it as this big hoo-hah.

Jim may be avoiding confrontation,

but there's one problem that isn't going away.

He never opened, so we're kind of waiting...

We think that he's going to continue,

he's going to open. That's what Neil and I's gut feeling is.

We'll just need to see how it develops

over the next couple of days. I don't want to have a knee-jerk reaction...

But Jim's way off the mark.

We're going, anyway, I think, regardless, now.

It's just a question of, as far as I'm concerned,

it's six weeks before we'll be vacating the premises.

The feedback I've heard about trade on Sunday is it was very poor.

-You don't think he'll change his mind?

-No, I don't think so.

If that's the case, there's no much that we can do.

-We just need to wade through the treacle.

-All right.

Jim's done all he can.

But it looks as if Iain's time at the Savoy is coming to an end.

In Taste, it's been a week since new start Kevin was shouted at,

and he's been trying for days to impress Nick.

But with no success.

So Nick's called in Kevin's mentor, Chrissie.

Hi, Chrissie, how you doing?

We're going to need to have a word with him today.

I need to see a different attitude from him, you know what I mean?

I need to stop seeing the laying about.

Kevin's future is hanging by a thread.

I think I would really like to stay here and dae more,

like, try and learn more, cos...

obviously in school, you don't learn as much as you would do outside.

So...I think I would rather dae this

than, basically, sit in the house doing nothing.

I mean, I'm like that... SIGHS

Is it that bad in here, do you know what I mean?

If I stay here and just get more training and that,

well, I think I could go good wi' it.

So I'm hoping that I can stick to it.

-We'll not be long, see you soon.

-See you soon!

Chrissy's going away for a talk with him,

to see how he feels about the place, know what I mean?

And, I think, putting what we've said to her, as well.

To be honest, is there any difference

-with him no' being here to him being here?

-Not really, no.

Fact is I've no' got somebody going like that just now.

Apart from me!

Down the street in the Savoy, the footfall figures from Sunday

have slowly made their way to the traders.

And they're not happy.

You see how many people outside?

-Right...

-It's Thursday! How can you say Sunday is enough people?

-It's only...

-It's already lunchtime.

It's lunchtime, see?

Only a few people come round.

As Neil takes the brunt of the traders' frustrations,

Jim's heading out to leaflet Sauchiehall Street,

with help from his daughter.

Lucy, you just give them out, as well.

Can I give you a wee leaflet there, pet?

There's a wee leaflet, princess.

There you go, girls, thanks. You can read that in bed tonight.

Can I give you a wee leaflet there?

Give you a wee leaflet, there, pet? Thanks a million.

Got one, darlin'? There you go. Your dad's got one, as well.

Give you a wee leaflet, there?

Looks like my daughter's a bit of a natural, as well.

Can I give you a leaflet, there, pet? Thanks very much, thank you.

'Being the most primitive form of advertising, doing leaflets.

You know, we could spend tens of thousands of pounds advertising

the Savoy Centre, on the radio or on TV,

but we don't need to go that far, to get the audience we're looking for.

The audience is here.

It is a question of just us trying to get out here

as often as we possibly could.

You've got the charm, have you? Oh, my! There you go.

Kevin, don't run now. We'll grab Nick for a couple of minutes.

Kevin's back.

He's just feeling a bit...

No' so much here, just stuff going on with his gran and that just now,

he was quite upset in the car.

So' I've had a chat and explained that his motivation isn't there.

And he's said, "Aye, I could definitely be trying harder."

So, at least he recognises that.

I was talking to Chrissy just to...

just keep my head up the now, in here.

Try and keep it going.

I feel that I'm just pure...

no caring about it.

What I said to him is, we'll look at it for another week.

Any problems, give me a call.

If you feel that it's just becoming a waste of your time, as well,

don't feel that you've got to keep him.

It's late in Glasgow

and while thousands enjoy the nightlife,

the police have a difficult time controlling

the minority of revellers who've had too much to drink

and are out to cause trouble.

WOMAN SCREAMS

And, unfortunately, for Melo, trouble has found him again.

But I'm tired. Since '98,

every day I get called "black bastard" this and that.

'Racism attack again. Verbal and abuse

'and throwing things and everything,'

and nearly broke my gear.

Throw all my... Throw all my gear over there,

tell me to go back to my country.

My country is Planet Earth,

so I don't know what other country it could be.

I don't understand these people.

It's very, very upsetting. Very upsetting.

We're going to bail the now, right,

-but we'll be back down shortly.

-Cheers, thank you very much.

'Basically, we were walking by, and then his money that was there'

had been kicked away. And he went up and had a wee bit of a go at them,

but perfectly within his rights.

Obviously, he's got to defend what he's doing -

it's his livelihood, he's got to make his buck.

But as Melo gives his statement,

another fight breaks out just yards away.

There we go, more fighting!

I'm feeling sick, man.

SHOUTING

Since '98, I've been abused every day.

That's why I feel like leaving...

I don't even know where I might go,

where there's no racism and stuff, I don't even know.

I'm pissed off. I need to be happy.

If I'm not happy, I'm not going to get my pay.

Yeah.

I'll be messing up everything, because of other people

No way. No, it's not happening.

Melo may have trouble on the street,

but he has a bigger problem back at home.

He still hasn't found a place of his own

and Craig's patience is running out.

In Taste, Nick's made a decision that'll determine, once and for all,

whether Kevin stays or goes.

Kiddie, how would you like to take the guys through

-what they're going to do today?

-Nae bother.

He's taking him out of the kitchen and putting him in front

to work the till on the busiest day of the week.

Doing the till, taking orders, telling us what they're having.

I don't want to see yous fucking crossing that line

by that orange juice machine - you've got no reason to do it.

Everything's warmed up. I need you guys here.

If anybody asks you for a breakfast roll - roll and sausage,

roll and bacon - tell them to go fuck themselves.

Are you nervous about this?

Eh...

..some parts I am, just in case, like,

I fuck something up.

As I always do, every day I, at least, probably fuck something up.

OK, right, game changed, let's do it.

With Taste filling up fast, Kevin's thrown in at the deep end.

£3, £3.50. No, sorry, £3.95, and £3.50.

£8.90, please. There you go. Scores in.

£11.10 back. Come on, mate. Fuckin' head up, yeah?

With the queue now spilling out onto the street,

there's no room for error.

But Kevin is starting to get the hang of it.

Aye, he's fine, doing good.

Couldn't be happier. Couldn't expect any more out of him

the now, you know what I mean?

No' finished yet, there's a lot more to go.

At the Savoy...

The ball's very firmly in his court. He can stop it all now'

by paying his arrear

and by agreeing to open on Sunday, as per the rest of the retailers.

If he doesn't do that, we don't have any option.

Jim's had word that Iain

has made a decision about the future of his business.

It's 1.30, I've now got my fourth meeting of the day,

which is probably going to overrun.

I'm desperate to finish half an hour early, which I have cleared

with my operations manager, because I've got to get my priorities right

and I've got to go and pay my golf fees.

It hurts me, it pains me, because I hardly play,

but I'm told, if I do play, this lump here will disappear.

But Iain has had a change of heart.

He's decided to open, rather than lose his business.

We still have issues about it, obviously, as you know, Jim.

I don't think anybody actually expected the doors to be...

People waiting at the doors, so hopefully it will build up.

Once people know that it's going to be open, like.

See you in a bit. Cheers. Take it easy, enjoy your coffee. See you.

Time will tell.

Um...

I don't really think...

there'll be sufficient people coming through the doors, actually.

So...

I have reservations about what will happen.

Give us a wee smile, Kiddie. You're going home, it's Friday night!

Back in Taste, service is over and Kevin's packing up.

But he's still not sure if he's impressed Nick.

Let's just keep pushing. Get this done in half an hour,

you can be walking out the door at quarter to four.

You're going to get this done in half an hour and walk out the door.

As for your job, you can keep it.

You can live to fight another day, you can keep your job.

But you just need to keep fucking working the way you've done the day.

Just continue doing it, please.

And you'll have no problems with me.

That's the test of somebody,

if they can be consistent and do that every day.

It's all right fucking doing a shit-hot shift one day,

but if you come in the next time and just don't give a fuck

then it doesn't really work in this game, do you know what I mean?

So, that's the ultimate test and it's just going to be

over a period of time, seeing how he does it.

Just off Sauchiehall Street...

Yeah, yeah. I hope the cops don't see this.

I need these at other times, when I'm in the street.

Like Pavarotti does it, aaah!

That's what he does. Helps you to sing.

Gives a boost.

Melo's back out for a day of busking.

Oh, my God, she's got red hair, call the fire brigade!

It's been two weeks since Melo moved into Craig's

and, last night, they ended up fighting,

after more arguments about Melo not saving money.

They've not spoken to each other since.

Nelson is ignoring me. And I think he should...

STUTTERS

..should apologise. I bump into him,

he's going to look miserable because he knows he's done wrong.

That's all. He's going to look miserable

and I'm not going to want to have a conversation,

unless he comes to tell me sorry for the whole time he let me down.

I always earn better money by myself.

I don't need them to... to... I earn more money by myself.

I never need them, anyway.

HE SINGS "I Shot The Sheriff" by Bob Marley

If Melo can't sort things out with Craig by tonight,

he'll find himself with nowhere left to go.

It's Sunday and, true to his word, Iain has opened.

The problem is, some of the other traders haven't.

It's not great. The Sunday opening's been an uphill battle from day one.

If retailers aren't making money,

they then start making decisions with their feet.

They close their unit on a Sunday,

it's no' worth their while getting out their beds, employing staff

and coming in and opening with the current footfall we're enjoying,

which really isn't what we were looking for.

But we need to keep pressing forward with it. We're duty-bound.

-How's it going today?

-Er...

..I don't know.

-Hi, Chris, there's a nice letter for you.

-Thank you!

-Everything OK?

-Aye!

-Livin' la vida loca?

-Eh?

-Livin' la vida loca?

-Yeah.

You always know when somebody doesn't get your joke.

Are you finding this all stressful?

Honestly? Yeah.

Yeah. To the point where it's becoming, really, a bit too much.

There's been a number of nights that I haven't slept

about the whole...the whole job. As much as it pains me to say it,

I'm seriously having to consider other options,

because my health's starting to suffer.

I've put on so much weight in the last few months,

just comfort-eating.

At the end of the day, I can't work any harder,

but I'm just no' getting the results that I used to get.

And' unfortunately, the way that I operate, I wear my heart on my sleeve

and I've got a wife and two kids to support and...

I genuinely am at a loss as to what to do at the moment.

I'm at a genuine loss.

Once we've got the date set in stone

and everything set in stone, I can get the address to you

and get stuff printed...

In Babushka, the last two weekends

have seen more and more people through the door.

So, when the unit's not quite finished, guys are still in working,

you do a soft VIP launch - you invite people in.

So the owners have decided to shut up shop

and move to a bigger unit, further down Sauchiehall Street.

We're going to be moving Babushka to another location,

further along the street.

I'll be quite gutted, to be honest,

because there's a lot of good... I, kind of, got my first chance here,

managed to do all right. It is good, it will work better.

It'll take a little bit of time,

because it's just opened from scratch, but it will get better.

Down in Taste...

OK, right, so that's fine, no more comebacks from Kevin, that's it?

It's been two weeks since Kevin's good service,

but things have taken a turn for the worse and Nick has made a decision.

Will do, Chrissy. Cheers, bye-bye.

That's it. Sorted. His maw's no' going to...

His maw's fucking calmed down now.

Fucking hell, man, madness, innit?

That's the first person I've ever sacked, man.

He says, "You're no' supposed to be here just now,

"did you no' get a message and that?"

And I says, "No, my phone's broke."

I phoned Chrissy. I think she phoned Nick,

and, basically, he said that I wasn't to come back,

and I've no' been back since and I've no' heard from them.

We've decided to call it a day with Kevin.

To be honest with you, it's just no... It's not worked out at all.

We phoned Chrissy, she's then spoke to his mum

and there's been a big bust-up on the phone with his mum, as well.

He was all right at first, but when he was actual...

When you were actually working for him,

he was just a completely different person.

I think he was just acting like a pure arsehole.

I've been backed into this corner and I'm no' prepared to do it any more.

It's making me look like a fanny' if I just keep giving chances

and these guys' shoulders drop, cos they're like,

"Why the fuck are we daein' all this, when this cunt's coming in here

"and just fucking getting an easy life?"

And just no, trying for us, when it is easy.

So...that's why, that's the final straw to me, to be honest.

On Monday, Kevin will be at the Job Centre,

with little prospect of finding work.

Go to City Mission, they'll lead you to different places. That's good.

And you'll get something to eat.

It's late on Sauchiehall Street,

and Melo's packed up for the night.

He's had news from Craig.

The text says for me to leave, because...

"It's for the best, Melo. I hope you find somewhere soon."

HE LAUGHS

It's funny, isn't it?

How can you leave on a Saturday, do you know what I mean?

How can you do this to people? You can't do this.

He was just without any plan for getting money together, you know?

So I mean, if that's the case, I just realised,

this guy's never going to leave here, unless I throw him out.

I, kind of, got a bit angry and I still feel angry about it

because he might have misread the situation

and felt that it was easier just to live on my generosity

than just get his life together,

so it's like, "I'll just live on this guy's couch for a couple of months."

But he was totally mistaken, you know? So, now, he's out.

Melo's last resort is to stay in a hotel for the night.

But that would mean spending all the money he has left.

So he leaves one last message for Craig.

Can you... Can you at least give me, like, a couple of days, man?

I'm going to spend £70 in a hotel, brother.

What is so bad? What have I done to you, man? Nothing!

Hello?

I'm being ignored by Nelson.

With no option left

and having fallen out with his last real friend,

Melo is homeless.

Yeah.

Yeah, he just hanged up. Like, cowards do this.

Ignorant people do this.

Abstain yourself from ignorance and you'll do a much better job.

What goes around comes around.

If he ever touches me again, I'm going to batter him.

It's just a struggle.

It's my fault. It's my fault for trusting them too much.

It's my fault.

Father God, we just thank you for Billy tonight

and we ask that you will keep him safe

and Lord, we'll just ask that you show your love to him

in many ways, in Jesus' name, amen.

Next time on The Street...

Come on! Idiot!

Stop fucking hiding through the back. Come on, I need you.

Red onions done.

Nick has even more staff problems when Kiddie goes AWOL.

Just, sort of, fear the worst, you know what I mean?

I fear he could be fuckin' hanging from a tree.

Melo gets a new start and a new flat.

Expect the worst and good things maybe happen.

Jim continues to champion Sunday openings,

but is faced with a big decision.

I'm in a corner.

I'm on the ropes and I've nowhere to go.

Hi. Is there anything we can do to help?

The pastors are out again, looking after the partygoers on the street.

Is he OK?

And next week, the Savoy's newest psychic

tries to make a name for himself,

with unpredictable results.

My psychic ability on you is that you're full of shit.