Carla Connor makes Maria very happy next week when she agrees to invest in a salon franchise – if Maria can impress her with a business plan.
Maria is given an opportunity when Audrey’s old frenemy Claudia arrives on the cobbles.
She heads to the salon and can’t help lording it over Audrey about how well her salon is doing and how she’s thinking about expanding her hairdressing empire with some franchised salons leaving Audrey annoyed.
Later while having a drink with Maria, Claudia suggests that Maria should run one of her new salon, giving the crimper food for thought.
But how will Audrey react when she finds out Claudia is trying to poach Maria, who she’s secretly hoping will come back to work for her.
Maria jumps at the chance but soon finds herself panicking about finding the money for the franchise when she decides to ask Carla.
Meanwhile Claudia enjoys winding Audrey up saying she’s more suited to the blue rinse brigade.
Maria approaches Carla about the franchise and the former factory boss agrees to fund Maria’s business if Maria can provide a business plan.
We revealed recently that Maria was set to start up a rival business which would upset her long-term friend Audrey.
Maria was given food for thought when Beth pointed out that she should be running Audrey’s salon with the amount of hours and work she was doing.
While considering starting up her own business, Maria is annoyed even further when Audrey announces she is going to be putting her rent up, leaving the hairdresser fuming.
Deciding to further her career the honest way, Maria proposes the idea to Audrey that they become business partners.
But instead of even considering her offer, Audrey turns Maria down, fulling her anger even more.
You’d think Audrey would welcome the break after everything her family has been through recently.
Deciding to branch out on her own, Maria starts discreetly taking appointments in her own flat, undercutting Audrey’s prices to drum up business.
Always one to stick her oar in, Tracy Barlow is said to also get involved, stirring up trouble when she tells Maria she could be making a killing by carrying out secret hair appointments behind her boss’s back.
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It doesn’t take long for Maria’s new business venture to get off the ground. But that’s not where her betrayal of Audrey ends.
Claudia’s offer proves to be one that Maria can’t refuse, but how will Audrey react when she discovers the betrayal?
And – more to the point – will Maria be able to put together an entire business plan on her own?
Would you go to Maria’s or Audrey’s for your root touch-up? Leave us a comment on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix and let us know what you think!
Coronation Street airs Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 7.30pm and 8.30pm on ITV