It’s best known for scenes of high drama as the local mini-supermarket on BBC’s long-running soap EastEnders.

But could the Minute Mart be set to make the transition from Walford to real high streets?

Costcutter has trademarked the phrases ‘Minutemart’ and ‘Minute Mart’ with the Intellectual Property Office. The phrases have been registered under class 35, which includes retail fascias. The name ‘Go Shop’ has also been registered under the same class.

Minute Mart, which currently has a green and white fascia, has been the main shop in EastEnders for some years, replacing the original First Till’ Last.

“Minute Mart is a very well-known name, having appeared in EastEnders for several years and I was surprised it hadn’t been trademarked,” said Costcutter group marketing director Ian Bishop. “However, we have no immediate plans to develop a Minute Mart fascia.”

Costcutter resurrected the Kwik Save name earlier this year, relaunching the brand as Kwiksave for retailers with larger stores close to rival multiples.

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