ExCo
Lucky Chuck’s Leisure Lounge, a brand-new retro playground of pizza, cocktails and games, has launched a tongue-in-cheek campaign to persuade actress Natalie Cassidy – known to millions as Sonia Fowler – to finally make her Kettering debut.
In a memorable 2016 EastEnders storyline, Sonia packed her bags and moved to Kettering to work at a private hospital, putting the Northamptonshire town at the heart of a soap shocker.
Now, as Lucky Chuck’s prepares to open in the old Mister Ray’s department store on Market Place in the new year, the team are rolling out the red carpet and calling for Sonia to come “back” to the town she helped put on the map.
Zoe Ball backs the bid
In a celebrity twist, DJ and TV presenter Zoe Ball has already thrown her support behind the campaign, after hearing the Lucky Chuck’s team hadn’t yet secured Sonia as their opening-night ambassador.
Wishing the Lucky Chuck’s crew well, Zoe said: “I’m so disappointed that Sonia from EastEnders was unable to be your ambassador. Lucky Chuck’s sounds like a fine establishment and I wanted to wish you all the luck in the world at your launch.
"Hopefully I can pop by sometime. I could even get on board with topping pizzas if you need a hand.”
Even the town’s civic leader is getting involved. Cllr Ben Jameson said: “Sonia Fowler moving to Kettering is still one of our favourite soap storylines – she’s our most famous fictional resident.
"I know Natalie recently said to BBC Northampton that she was surprised she’d never been invited to turn on the Christmas lights here. So, Natalie, consider this your official invitation to see what Kettering is really all about.”
Lucky Chuck’s: a retro playground
While the campaign gathers pace, work continues inside the iconic mid-century Mister Ray’s building, which is being reborn as Lucky Chuck’s Leisure Lounge – a late-70s-inspired mash-up of arcade bar, pizza joint and gaming den spread across two floors and creating 30 new jobs in the town centre.
Kettering awaits a response from Sonia
Natalie Cassidy recently launched her memoir “Happy Days” and has been busy on her book tour and working on her “Life with Nat” podcast that has a live show on December 7. So far she is yet to respond, leaving the town on bated breath.
Lucky Chuck’s is calling on fans to join in on social media, tagging #BringBackSonia and urging Natalie to make the trip from Albert Square to Kettering Market Place.