Coronation Street has unveiled a new look as the long-running soap moves to hour-long episodes and an 8pm time slot on ITV.
The much-loved soap has revealed the latest addition to its set - the Weatherfield Precinct.
The impressive two storey construction will feature maisonettes, a staircase and balcony leading to the properties, a piazza and an array of accessible local shops and units, which will extend the set based on the programme’s 7.7 acre site in Trafford.
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The vision of production designer Rosie Mullins-Hoyle the development begins construction this week and will take six months to complete.
Rosie said about the development: "We are extremely excited to be starting to build Weatherfield Precinct this week after a year of technical drawings, model making, visualising and planning.
"An incredible amount of research has been carried out focussing on 1960s local architecture and we are striving to create an authentic area of Weatherfield with a grittier vibe to the existing street that we know and love."
Rosie continued: "The build is being led by myself and construction manager Keith Eccleston and is a fantastic opportunity to use some of the amazing behind the scene talents we have on the show with bespoke joinery, scenic art work, graphic design and set dressing skills all being involved.
"I cannot wait to meet the characters that may call it home and see the businesses that will be created and the storytelling potential of an old but new part of Weatherfield.”
The precinct has often cropped up in the soap’s dialogue with characters heading off to the parade of shops.
Soap bosses say the new set will give scriptwriters the chance to explore storylines beyond the famous cobbles of Coronation Street.
Coronation Street producer, Iain MacLeod said: "The fabled Weatherfield Precinct has been much discussed, but little seen on the show in our 61 years, and I am really excited to be expanding the Coronation Street universe.
"The plans for the shopping area are drawn directly from the real-world Salford environs that inspired the show’s creator Tony Warren and exemplify the authenticity and ambition we still prize as we move to hour-long episodes this week.”
Located on the Manchester Ship Canal opposite MediaCityUK, Trafford Wharf became the programme’s new home in 2014.
The Victoria Street set, including Victoria Gardens, Speed Daal, the Weatherfield Tram stop, Trim Up North, George Shuttleworth’s funeral parlour and Edison Bailey’s builder’s yard opened in 2018 with soap icon Sue Nicholls, who plays Audrey Roberts, cutting the ribbon.
John Whiston, managing director of continuing drama and head of ITV in the north, said: “As we (hopefully) come out of Covid and start to stretch our dramatic legs again, it will be great to be able to play exciting new stories against a brand new backdrop.
"And it's a testament to the confidence ITV has in the show that it is investing so much in our future.
"Mind you, I guess it won't be long before we blow it up, burn it down or crash a tram into it.”
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