Walford East is a restaurant located in the heart of Albert Square which is owned by Suki Panesar and Ravi Gulati. Initially the restaurant was owned by Ian Beale and was called Ian Beale @ Le Square, however Ian was short of money and took a loan out from Janine Butcher, who renamed it to Scarlett's on the opening after her daughter. Ian re-named it Beales and ran it until February 2016, when he sold it to Costmart to pay for Bobby Beale's boarding school tuition fees. Ian rebought the restaurant in 2019 with business partner Masood Ahmed and gave it the current name of 'Walford East'. When Masood left Walford, he sold his share to Max Branning. In 2022, Suki and Ravi bought the restaurant when it went up for sale.
Storylines[]
Scarlett's[]
In July 2013, Scarlett's employee Jean Slater remembers she has left her handbag at the restaurant. Jean, Shirley Carter and Bianca Butcher go back to the restaurant to look for her handbag. However, they are sidetracked when they find Ian's alcohol. Shirley knocks over a naked flame and cause the restaurant to catch fire. The fire is small and is put out quickly, however, due to the smoke, the restaurant's water sprinklers go off, flooding the restaurant.
Beales[]
When Jane Beale arrives back in Walford in 2014, she and Ian decide to become business partners. Jane begins planning to rebrand Scarlett's and proposes renaming the restaurant. The pair settle on 'BEALES' and the restaurant is soon renamed. A relaunch is planned to unveil the new look restaurant including a brand new interior. Beales closes after Steven Beale torches the restaurant in an attempt to kill Jane.
Walford East[]
In 2018, when Ian Beale and Masood become business partners, they decide to use Masood's idea of a 'fusion restaurant', and Masood decides to call it Walford East, which later becomes the official name of the restaurant. In 2019, Masood leaves Walford and sells his share of the business to Max Branning. Habiba and Iqra run the restaurant day-to-day once Masood departs. By 2021, Ian, Habiba, Iqra and Max have all left Walford, so Kathy Beale and Peter Beale take over. However, the restaurant becomes too costly for the duo, so they sell up. Suki and Ravi decide to go into business together and buy Walford East, turning it into a contemporary Indian restaurant, still under the name of Walford East.
Staff (Restaurant)[]
Current Staff[]
Name | Position | Year |
---|---|---|
Suki Panesar | Co-owner | 2022- |
Ravi Gulati | 2022- | |
Zack Hudson | Chef | 2022- |
Davinder Gulati | Waiter | 2022- |
Michael | Waiter and chef | 2023- |
Former Staff[]
Name | Postion | Year |
---|---|---|
Jean Slater | Chef | 2013 |
Abi Branning | Waitress | |
Poppy Meadow | ||
Jake Stone | Sous Chef | 2014 |
Lauren Branning | Waitress | |
Masood Ahmed | Chef / Waiter | 2014-2016 |
Fatboy | Waiter | 2014-2015 |
Steven Beale | Manager | 2016-2017 |
Hunter Owen | Waiter | 2018 |
Masood Ahmed | Co-Owner/Chef | 2018-2019 |
Habiba Ahmed | Waitress | 2019-2020 |
Max Branning | Co-owner | 2019-2022 |
Ian Beale | Chef, Co-owner | 2013-2022 |
Iqra Ahmed | Waitress | 2019-2022 |
Bobby Beale | Waiter | 2020-2022 |
Peter Beale | Manager, Waiter | 2013-2015, 2021-2022 |
Dana Monroe | Waitress | 2021-2022 |
Kathy Beale | Cover for Peter, Waitress | |
Vinny Panesar | Cover for Vinny | 2023 |
Previous uses []
Signwriter and Screen Printer[]
In the mid 80's the location was occupied by a signwriters.
Moon and Sons Antiques Emporium[]
"Moon and Sons" was was an antiques emporium originally ran by Eddie Moon, Anthony Moon and Tyler Moon. When Anthony got into gambling problems with Derek Branning, he was forced out of the square. Thus leading to the closure of Moon and Sons.