Mr. Harman

Mr. Harman
Are You Being Served?
Portrayed by	Arthur English
First appearance	Top Hat and Tails
Last appearance	The Pop Star
Created by	Jeremy Lloyd David Croft
Profile
Occupation	Maintenance
Relationships

Mr. Beverly (possibly: Harry) Harman (Arthur English) replaced Mr. Mash in Series 4 as the head maintenance man. He shared some traits with Mr. Mash, both supposedly being "common" sorts and union men. Like Mr. Mash, he constantly conflicted with Cpt. Peacock over his appearances on the floor during store opening hours. However, Mr. Harman was considerably less antagonistic with the other characters, and as the series continued he took on a much more active role in the show, appearing frequently and being intimately involved with the plot on many episodes.

He graciously assisted Mrs. Slocombe in the episode "The Apartment", when she was allowed to stay on the top floor of the building, by setting up various items of furniture and displays so that she could have all the creature comforts. He literally saved the entire firm (and all their jobs) during "The Take Over" in season 5, where he dresses up as a wealthy share holder and convinces everyone to keep Mr. Grace in charge of the company. He also masterminded the deception in "The Hold Up", dressing up as the leader of "The Gumby Gang" in order to fool the burglars who were holding Miss Brahms, Captain Peacock and Mr. Spooner hostage in Mr. Rumbold's office. Mr. Harman was last seen in "The Pop Star" (1984) which was the last episode of Are You Being Served? and therefore didn't appear in the sequel Grace and Favour.

Throughout the entire series, it's made clear that Mr. Harman is actually much better off financially than the rest of the staff, despite not being "middle class" like the sales workers. This (in part) comes from all of his overtime, side hustles, and various "special" tasks he does for Mr. Grace, Mr. Rumbold, and other managers as well. In S9E3 "Memories Are Made Of This", the staff is competing to buy a discounted fur coat, while Mr. Harman is not impressed by it at all. Mrs. Slocombe asks how Mr. Harman can afford one, to which he pulls out a wad of cash and says that even on his overtime he can afford multiple fur coats. In S10E4 "Gambling Fever", it's made clear that Mr. Harman is a man of many side occupations which include being a "bookie" for the staff while they bet on horses.

During the staff holiday to the Costa Plonka, he revealed he had booked a private suite as the Earl of Harman. Having arranged his own accommodations personally, Mr. Harman gets to stay in his own suite while the staff have to stay the night in tents until their regular hotel rooms are ready.

In S5E1 "Mrs. Slocombe Expects", it's revealed that Mr. Harman has a wife, however very little is known about her. When Mr. Rumbold asks why he's at work so early, Mr. Harman states, "I like to get out of bed before Mrs. Harman wakes."

While working at Grace Brothers, Mr Harman owned a male alsatian dog.

As far as Mr. Harman's first name, he is called "Harry" by Mr. Rumbold in S5E4 "The Old Order Changes." Mr. Rumbold calls him "Harry" again in S9E5 "Monkey Business", however during that episode Mr. Harman states that his first name is actually "Beverly", which may or may not have been the case for the entire series.