Along the towpath

The original Coronation Street opening titles were filmed in Archie Street, in the Ordsall area of Salford. There's no opportunity to use the real thing again; all gone in the earlier industrial estate redevelopments along the Quays in the 70s and 80s. 













So ITV moving to the Trafford side of canal for a new outdoor set and two soundstages makes sense.  There are, as always, odds and ends to sort out.   So far we only have one visualisation of the building (below) and we learn that the development in Trafford will have car parks and public open space.   The hint of a tram link, one of the teasers of the early MediaCityUK proposal, has disappeared.  The principal piece of "architecture" looks like a tarted up metal box more in keeping with the warehouses of Ordsall than a world class 21st century development. The Museum deserves a more beautiful neighbour.  Jenkins Design have been partners with ITV/Granada for years, but their media speciality is inside studios, rather than exteriors and public open space. 

Then we have the issue of the outdoor set.  Will it have a replacement high level tram line that is "pretend", rather than a real Metrolink service ?   And how will they explain the inevitable seagull cries, more or less unavoidable in every street scene ?

Finally, on the people front, there are some staff who'll be worried about the move - those working for 3sixty Media.  It's a joint venture between the BBC and ITV.   With Peel signing up with SIS to provide studio support, how many of the 360 team will be needed at MediaCityUK ?