Big Deal was a 1980s BBC comedy drama staring Ray Brooks (Robby), Sharon Duce (Jan) and Lisa Geoghan (Debby). It followed the life of Robby, small time gambler, his girlfriend Jan and Jan’s daughter Debby. Big Deal ran for 3 series (30 episodes) between 1984 and 1986.
In this post we look at some of the key Big Deal Filming Locations as well as some used across the 3 series.
Robby’s Mums Flat
A frequent location is the flat where Robby stays with him mum Vi. Often where Robby can be found catching up on his sleep and Vi spending time with Tommy.
The location used for Robby’s mums flat was 49 Havelock Close, India Way, London W12 7NQ. Whilst a lot across the estate has changed over the years it is still very recognisable, more than enough to confirm the location.
Gil’s Bookmaker
Gil’s Bookmakers, Robby’s favourite gambling establishment is seen in a number of episodes. The location used was on Hanbury Road, Acton. Unfortunately the area has since been redeveloped but is still visible on an older Street View as shown below.
Hanbury Road, London, W3 8RF (Somali Women’s Refugee Centre was the exact location used for Gil’s)
Jan and Debby’s Flat
Most of the time when we saw Jan and Debby’s flat it was because Robby either needed to do some apologising or was looking to borrow something.
The location used for Jan and Debby’s flat was number 4 Oakley Ave, London W5 3SD.
Tommy’s Flat
When Robby’s mum asks Robby to leave because he won’t go and visit the tax man, Tommy gives him the keys to stay at his flat.
The location used for Tommy’s flat was E Churchfield Rd, London W3 7LL.
The Dragon Club / Olivers
Seen mainly throughout Series 2 after Robby wins a half share in The Dragon Club in a Poker game. Later on after buying the other half of the club he goes on to rename it Olivers.
216 High St, London W3 9NX – The Dragon Club was where the door on the far left is and was 218 High Street, but no longer exists.
Tommy’s Allotment
Tommy’s allotment is seen throughout a number of episodes as well as the surrounding streets. Tommy’s allotment was in the South Acton West Allotments, roughly where the arrow shows below. A number of the surrounding streets have changed since the days of filming but the allotments are very much the same.
South Acton West Allotments, Stanley Rd, London W3 8TL
Series 1 Episode 1
Edwin Brown Jeweller
Whilst Edwin Brown Jewellers (an actual Jewellers) was first seen in episode 1, it pops up in a number of episodes across the series.
Edwin Brown Jeweller was located at 130 The Broadway, London W13 0TL
Series 1 Episode 2
Bramley Arms
Robby and Geordie are looking for the guy who robbed Robby after his poker win. Their search takes them to the Bramley Arms.
The Bramley Arms has long since closed buts its location was on the end of Bramley Road.
1 Bramley Rd, London W10 6SZ
Palmerston House
In this episode we meet Frank Aldino, a local gangster. One of the locations we see him is in a tower block.
The location for the tower block was Palmerston House, 60 Kensington Pl, London W8 7PU
Series 1 Episode 3
Dick loses out on what he expects is a dodgy game. Here we see him walking home across Chelsea Bridge where he is spotted by Robby.
Chelsea Bridge – Chelsea Bridge Rd, London SW3 4SL
Police Station
Having gone to help Dick, Robby ends up in a police station after being caught in an illegal casino.
Former Police Station – 2 Lucan Place London SW3 3PB – Unfortnately this has since been demolished however this older Streetview stll shows the police station back in 2015.
Series 1 Episode 4
Golden Fillet Fish Restaurant
The chip shop appears a few times in this episode. Early on as well as when visited by Jan and Robby after their dinner and dance.
The Golden Fillet Restaurant was located on Crown Street, Acton but was Demolished around 2019.
The Drayton Court Hotel
Jan and Robby are out wining and dining at a dinner and dance. Although Robby does keep checking in on Vi and Tommy to see if they have arrived at the Rose and Crown with his winnings.
The Drayton Court Hotel, 2 The Avenue, London W13 8PH
Rose and Crown
Robby keeps phoning the Rose and Crown to see if Vi and Tommy have arrived back from Windsor Races with his winnings.
The Rose & Crown, Church Pl, St Mary’s Rd, London W5 4HN
Western Gardens
Robby walks with Debby as she heads towards school.
This was filmed down Oakley Avenue and onto the corner with Western Gardens W5 3RS.
Series 1 Episode 5
Latimer Road Station
After a night out gambling, Geordie and Robby drop Irish off at Latimer Road Station where Irish sadly passes away on the platform.
W Sherry & Sons
Robby and friends decide it is down to them to try and give Irish a good send off. Robby heads to the Funeral Directors to get a price estimate for Irish’s funeral.
This was filmed at W Sherry & Sons, 227 Acton Lane, London W4 5DD.
Series 1 Episode 7
Antiques Shop
Robby meets Stephen Chambers at Diamond’s party, soon after he buys some video recorders that aren’t all that them seem. Trying to track Stephen down, Robby tracks him back to an Antiques shop as shown below.
Whilst the location used is no longer an Antiques shop, the location is still very identifiable. The location used was 36 Church St, Twickenham TW1 3NR which is currently Osteria Pulinella.
Series 2 Episode 1
The Talbot
Seen on a few occasions, The Talbot is seen in this episode as Robby tries to evade a couple of unsavoury characters who are searching for him.
The Talbot, 1 Mill Hill Rd, London W3 8JB
The Talbot, 1 Mill Hill Rd, London W3 8JBSeries 2 Episode 2 – Getting Knotted
Robby has just had his first win after trying to get back straight following his big £10k loss and Jan and Debby moving to Australia. We see Robby and Dick leaving the venue of the poker game and heading for breakfast.
The venue of the poker game was 230 Trussley Rd, London W6 7PS, with the shot with the railway bridge filmed just outside the entrance.
The Wedding
The wedding of Vi and Tommy, that almost didn’t take place, took place at Chiswick Town Hall.
Chiswick Town Hall, Heathfield Terrace, Turnham Green, Chiswick, London W4 4JN
Series 2 Episode 3 – What are Friends For?
Jan starts her new career in antiques with an auction in this great building. The building used for filming was, The Richmond Golf Club Sudbrook Park, Richmond TW10 7AS
Other Locations
I hope you enjoyed this post. If you know of any other filming locations used in the the filming of Big Deal, please comment below or get in touch.