Coronation Street‘s Gary Windass shocks his wife Maria next week – by revealing his big plans to buy another local business.

In Roy’s Rolls, restless Gary confesses to Maria that sales are slow at the furniture shop and he’s thinking of selling up and using the money to buy the builder’s yard.

Maria’s not convinced, though, insisting that they can’t afford it…

“While Gary is wrapped up in his dream, Maria is thinking more sensibly,” shares our Corrie insider.

“She knows they have Liam to think about and can’t afford to make silly decisions that could destroy their financial stability.

“Yet, Gary’s got itchy feet and misses the builder’s yard he used to manage, so he won’t let an opportunity to own it for himself slide!”

It’s not long before villainous newcomer Mick Michaelis sticks his oar in and encourages Gary to go ahead with the plans.

When Maria finds the two having a celebratory drink in the Bistro, will she be happy with what they’re toasting?

Later, Gary excitedly reassures an unimpressed Maria that he’s going to make a success of the builder’s yard, though she’s less than pleased about any collaboration with Mick.

“Maria couldn’t be clearer in telling Mick he’s not welcome,” our source adds.

“After the trouble she’s had with his feisty other half, Lou, the couple aren’t in her good books, and she thinks it’s a mistake for Gary to trust him.”

But when Liam’s victimised by bullies in the precinct, and Mick approaches the scene, will he be able to win Maria round by saving her son?

The new storyline will be welcome news for Corrie fans, who’d noticed that popular character Gary had taken a break from the action recently.

Gary hasn’t featured on screen since the start of January, when Mason Radcliffe’s death episodes aired, but looks set to appear more prominently again as this new plot unfolds.