Coronation Street fans think they have worked out how Carla Connor-Swain will be able to keep Underworld, as an 'explosion' has been teased on the famous cobbles. Viewers of the ITV soap, filmed in Salford, have seen the factory boss face the loss of her beloved business in recent episodes.
Carla, who first gained majority ownership of Underworld when her husband Paul Connor died in 2007, recently admitted the factory was in decline. She was doing all she could to keep things afloat until the involvement of Idris Nazir, who appears to be making things worse for Carla as he sets his sights on having Underworld for himself.
Idris's interference and the sprinkler incident
After expressing interest in the business to girlfriend Leanne Battersby, Idris overheard Carla talking to her wife, Lisa Connor-Swain, about an important meeting at a hotel. When the meeting seemed to go well for Carla and Michael Bailey, Idris intercepted the client during a loo break, telling him that Carla couldn't be trusted and wasn't the sort of person he should do business with. The client returned with a cautious attitude, and Carla was later told the deal wasn't going ahead.
Speaking to Lisa afterwards, Carla revealed she would have to sacrifice her workers' Christmas bonus to keep the factory afloat. Things got worse when, as Carla came clean to her staff about the business's struggles, Idris met Brody Michaelis at the rear of the factory and, handing him a lighter, told him he had a job for him.
Brody stole a set of factory keys from his foster carer, Sally Dynevor, and headed to Underworld. After letting himself in, the teen grabbed a lighter and held it near the smoke alarm to activate the sprinkler system before escaping through the back door. As alarms rang, a devastated Carla rushed inside with Lisa to find all her stock damaged and water flowing throughout the building. Viewers later saw Carla alone drinking on the steps outside her factory doors, having told her workers she had no choice but to shut the factory and could only pay them a month's wages.
Carla's decision to sell
During Tuesday's (November 10) edition of Corrie, Carla told Lisa she would have to sell up. She said: "I'm finished. Manufacturing businesses like mine are going the way of dinosaurs. And I'd never be able to afford a loan as much as I need. They'd laugh me out the door. That's it. I'm gonna have to sell up," before informing her worried staff in an email.
Spoilers for next week's episode confirm things don't look up, as at No.6, a fraught Carla tells Lisa they might have to sell the house if she can't find a buyer for the factory. In Victoria Garden, Lily Platt sets up Jodie Ramsey's vigil with the help of David, Shona, Jake Windass, and Ruby Dobbs. Later, Jake finds Hope, Ruby Dobbs, and Lily on Maxine's bench moaning about Doug Ramsey and Ross Wilkes. When Jake shows them the stash of fireworks in his rucksack, Lily suggests they set them off in Doug's campervan for a laugh. As Jake, Hope, Ruby and Lily race down the ginnel, they hear an explosion and watch a cloud of smoke rise up behind the factory.
Fan theories on the explosion's impact
With Doug's campervan parked outside Underworld and No.8, there are fears of more drama ahead, especially for Carla. However, Corrie fans think this could end up solving her Underworld dilemma.
@Fake_TV_Chef said: "Those kids blowing up Underworld might be a blessing in disguise for Carla. Insurance won't cover the sprinkler damage since they weren't serviced, but she should definitely have explosion coverage given how many times that factory has gone up in flames. #Swarla #Corrie."
@TheConnorSwains commented: "So, those pesky kids blowing up the camper van inadvertently saves the factory. We know the garage has CCTV which covers the front of the factory, which should show exactly what happened. Insurance gonna have to pay out… surely? #Swarla #Corrie."
@topcac replied: "This is definitely where my head's at. Mostly because I can't imagine a world where Carla doesn't own that bloody factory." @rich7195 responded: "Oooooh I like that theory .. right at the last hour before Idris signs on the dotted line. Yes please." @kelz663 added: "So if a campervan blows up and causes the factory to 'explode'... Surely that's where insurance will pay out, and that means Carla won't lose Underworld after all... I'm not having that Alis 20th year in the show will be her downfall and losing everything!! #Swarla."
