The Victorian Slum: The 1870s

In the heart of the modern East End of London, a Victorian slum has been recreated and a group of 21st-century people move in. The slum dwellers must live through a dire economic depression that blighted the 1870s. Tailoring family the Howarths have become 'sweated workers' and toil nonstop to make up Victorian factory orders for clothing. They are forced to employ their neighbours' children to complete the work. The Potter family can no longer rely on breadwinner Graham as he struggles to find work so they join forces with Shazeda to try and get by making artificial flowers. For Heather Potter, the experience has added poignancy when she finds out the fate that befell her own ancestors. Siblings John and Maria Barker arrive from Ireland. They are horrified by the conditions that would have greeted Irish migrants to Victorian London. Rent collector Andy and shopkeepers the Birds begin to worry that some in the slum won't be able to settle their debts. episode 2