This town centre was hugely famous and once filled with celeb-owned businesses (Image: Google)
When The Only Way is Essex first came to our screens 15 years ago, it brought with it a whole host of new faces, who were soon absolutely everywhere.
The programme introduced us to figures including Gemma ‘The GC’ Collins and Joey Essex – and many of the stars were quick to capitalise on their new fame.
Brentwood in the south west of the county became particuarly associated with the antics of the TOWIE gang, with many of them opening up their own businesses in the town.
Although the show is still going, and is set to return for its 35th series this year – in which the stars will take their special brand of chaos to Bali – fortunes have apparently been less kind to the shops, salons and beauty parlours opened by them.
Here’s what they are now.
Lucy’s Boutique
The Pink Parachute in Brentwood, Essex, formerly Lucy’s Boutique (Image: Essex Live)
Lucy’s Boutique was a fashion store owned by Lucy Mecklenburgh, who was part of the TOWIE cast between 2010 and 2013. The large store was found on Ongar Road. It has now shut down.
Lucy’s Boutique is now a-paint-your-own pottery ceramics studio named the Pink Parachute.
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Amy Childs Salon
The former site of Amy Childs Salon (Image: Essex Live)
Amy Childs is one of the original cast members of TOWIE, having appeared in the first two seasons.
She had a number of businesses in Brentwood, including her own beauty salon, Amy Childs Salon.
While it is still a salon, it is no longer run by the former TOWIE star. Today it is called Katie and Lee Nails and Beauty.
Sugar Hut
The Sugar Hut was a real fixture of TOWIE (Image: Essex Live)
The Sugar Hut was a regular feature on TOWIE, seen as the spot where the cast partied, drank, and got into endless drama.
But it seems its glory days are behind it. The venue has been closed for some time, and was recently put up for sale for £3.8 million.
It does still, however, feature the Sugar Hut branding, for any fans looking for a cheeky selfie opportunity.
Fusey – Joey Essex
The former site of Joey Essex’s clothing store (Image: Essex Live)
Joey Essex was one of the biggest breakout stars from TOWIE, and is still a regular fixture on our screens.
His clothing and accessories store, Fusey, opened in 2013, but only lasted three years, closing down in 2016.
Today it is a wine store.
Harry’s World
The former site of Harry’s World (Image: Essex Live)
Harry Derbidge was one of the original TOWIE cast members, and has popped up on the programme sporadically over the years.
In 2012 he opened fashion boutique Harry’s World. It closed down in 2016, four years later.
Today the shop is home to men’s hair salon, De Milia.
Chloe’s Beauty Bar
The former site of Chloe’s Beauty Bar, Brentwood (Image: Essex Live)
Chloe Sims is the longest-serving cast member of TOWIE, having appeared on the programme for 10 years, between 2011 and 2021. She is the sister of Frankie, Demi, and Charlie Sims, and the cousin of Joey Essex.
Chloe’s Beauty Bar was a beauty salon owned by Chloe Sims.
It has now closed and the premises is still being used by Smile HQ.
Gemma Collins’ Boutique
The former site of Gemma Collins’ Boutique (Image: Essex Live)
Gemma Collins is one of the most famous names to have come out of TOWIE.
Essex’s number one diva ‘The GC’ once had her very own fashion brand, The Gemma Collins Boutique, with a physical location in Ropers Yard. It also operated online.
Today both the shop and the website are gone. The former location of the shop is now a hairdresser’s called HQ.
Amy Childs’ Boutique
The former site of Amy Childs’ Boutique (Image: Essex Live)
Amy Childs also set up a boutique in the town after leaving TOWIE in 2011. But in 2017 it closed. Today it is home to a hair salon called Camille.