The original set of Manchester-based soap opera Coronation Street could reopen to the public as a temporary visitor attraction for six months next year, allowing visitors to explore the street used in the ITV Granada television programme.
It is thought that Continuum will operate the attraction, with Mather and Co. working as designers and developers on the six-month project. The design and development company is run by Chris Mather, former director of ITV's Granada Tours.
The traditional set is located on the Granada site close to the Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI) in Manchester’s city centre, while a new set where the soap is filmed by ITV Granada is now located in MediaCityUK.
A formal planning application is expected to be submitted following an invitation-only exhibition hosted at Granada headquarters for local residents, businesses and stakeholders.
The attraction is planned to run for six months from March to September next year as temporary ‘reveal’. Though it is not clear whether this will be a farewell period for the show's famous set, or a tester to see whether the attraction garners enough interest to become a more permanent feature.
During its highest period of interest, the area’s Granada Studios Tour focused prominently on the set, with more than half a million people coming to visit the famous street each year.
Operator Continuum already runs The Real Mary King's Close in Edinburgh and the Oxford Castle Unlocked.
Vacancies with Continuum Group (Heritage Projects):Attraction General ManagerLocation: Manchester area, United Kingdom Salary: £30,000-£35,000