‘Coronation Street’ fans are in line for an improved experience when they visit the set of the soap.
A planning application has been submitted for a three-story ‘Coronation Street Experience’ facility within the compound at the ITV studios in Manchester, which will include a dedicate entrance for set visitors, as well as a separate ITV and ‘Corrie’ gift shop, which will be accessed through a front that resembles the iconic Rovers Return pub.
According to the Manchester Evening News newspaper, the plans also show the facility would feature a cafe bar – which would open from 8am to 11.30pm – and a 70-seat auditorium, which would host the introduction to the tours.
Part of the first floor would boast an open-plan exhibition space feature show sets, and other memorabilia from ITV shows, as well as a multi-purpose projection room.
Conference facilities will be housed on the second floor, as well as a canopied roof terrace.
The back of the building will have a changeable backdrop that can be used for show filming, with images submitted with the plans showing it dressed with a pharmacy frontage.
The Trafford Wharf Road studios – a working production lot – opened up for tours in 2018 after the old Quay Street set closed.
Although guests can walk down the cobbles and see iconic ‘Corrie’ buildings including the Rovers, Roy’s Rolls, The Kavin, and the shops, tram stop and police station housed in the recent Victoria Street expansion, the set currently has no dedicated visitor facilities.
Instead, tour guests are met by a guide at The Studios at dock 10 in MediaCityUK before heading over to the site, and the 90-minute visits currently only take place on selected weekend days when there’s no filming scheduled.
A consultation period on the visitor centre proposal closes on 31 March 31, and it will then go before planners.
Coronation Street plans visitors centre
