It's 1965 and Doreen Jarvis and her family have moved from their old boarding house to a more up-market Blackpool hotel. As well as trying to make a success of the new business, Doreen has to deal with the problems faced by her five children, who are all growing up and looking for a life of their own.

The eldest, Veronica, is desperately searching for her Mr Right, but is she looking too hard? After a series of disappointments, happiness seems set to elude her. Meanwhile her rebellious sister, Teresa, is determined to make the most of the liberal 'swinging sixties' scene, but she finds herself out of her depth when her headstrong behaviour lands her in trouble. Then Doreen's eldest son, Paul, reveals a secret that challenges all their values and threatens to tear the family apart.