In October 1975, a fire at the Mark Brittain Warehouse caused Coronation Street to be evacuated. A refuge was set up at Bessie Street School, but naturally the residents' instinct was to seek out the nearest boozer and set up camp. Landlady Ginny Spencer, who ran the New Old Inn with her daughters Tracey and Kim, ended up with most of Annie Walker's regulars descending on her. Upon arriving at the establishment, Annie had a dry sherry with Ginny and complimented her house, remarking that it "suited the area". Knowing precisely what Annie meant, Ginny agreed with her fellow Lady Victualler, remarking that it was much too posh for her neck of the woods.