Coronation Street

I went on the tour twice, the last time being 10 years ago in October 1996. It was half term and I went with my sister. Wish they would re-open it, now the only only way we get to see the set is through the windows of the museum of science and industry.

If they did re-open it I feel that the Street wouldn't be part of the tour due to the amount of time filming on the set for the number of episodes they do.

That's the main reason the tour closed.

You'd be surprised at how many tourists still turn up asking for the tour - lots of foreigners too.

The main reason as to why the Tour closed was Charles Allen wanting to remove the "fun" element from Granada plc. He closed the tour and the sold the Theme Parks at the same time - he did not believe in those institutions and was costing the company money (although they were generating much more than costing) and using the excuse of re-focusing the group into just MEDIA - a ploy that has never worked.

Do you think it would have been closed if Gerry Robinson had still been in charge??? I doubt it, there were plans to extend the tour across Water Street (i.e. close the street off to traffic and it becoming part of Granada plc land) build a replica Street and a replica Emmerdale on the extension (therefore making the proper set a Closed set) as well as builing other "Television" attractions.

It was Charles Allens short-sightedness to appease shareholders that closed the tour.

Wikipedia states that Charles Allen became chairman of Granada PLC in 2001 after Gerry Robinson stepped down in 2000

Granada Studios Tour closed down in 1999

You really need to get past the idea of Charles Allen running everything to do with ITV single handedly, it's a PLC not a sole trader. This is the Coronation Street thread not a vehicle for one of your rants

Rants... now have i said that CA was single-handedly running ITV in this thread (in the last few posts) - err NO!!!! He was single-handedly running Granada plc when he did close the Theme Parks.

The Tour closed in 1999, under Gerry Robinson for refurbishment and the big expansion and it was due to re-open in 2002. When CA became Chairman he stopped the revamped and never re-opened the Park. Remember Wikipedia is only as good as the people write on it. It may not be totally accurate all the time.

I only know these facts to the fact that I worked at the theme park - although a tour guide we did know the politics and strategies of the company at the time.

The Park, although closed to general public for the refurbishment, was still open to private parties, especially for Christmas parties, upon until Christmas/New Year 2002/2003.

and my posts, on this thread, are, in the main, related to Corrie the areas close to its vacinity (i.e. just correcting a person earlier over the Beatham tower and asking a slightly off topic question).

I have an idea, if you stop trying to have a go at me in every thread I write in, I will stop ranting about your rants about me!!!!!! . Deal, or no deal???????

Yes I was chatting to a couple outisde the studios last time I was there who were from NZ who were fans of the show and on holiday over here. Many people would visit the set given a chance even from as far away as that. So I do think they are missing the opportunity to make money by not running tours.

If you walk past the Car Park entrance to Granada in Quay Street, in the Security booth there's a big juicy notice saying that public are not allowed onto Coronation Street and that the attraction has been closed since about 2000.

The Beetham Tower is absoloutley huge, you can see it (on a clear day) from end of the M56 when it joins Princess Parkway, I'm surprised it's never been filmed accidentally on Corrie.

I didn't realise until the other week how close Granada is to Salford, I came down the M62, then the M602 and onto the Ring road and managed to drive past the view that's always on the screen during Granada Reports, so I know where that is now. But as you say as soon as you go over a bridge and you're there, it's quite close.

I wish both BBC and ITV would make a decision over their Manchester base future, ITV will probably decide when the BBC does, but in a way the plans they've also made appear to be close to their current site rather than going to Salford Quays.

True, but ITV would never cut the amount of episodes, and if the episodes aren't cut, then there'll be no time for tours, sadly.

As i said before - short-sightedness of CA and cronies to permanentley close the Tour otherwise the replica set of Corrie and Emmerdale WOULD have been built by now in the extension!!!!! (as planned by Gerry Robinson and his crew.)

I can't believe that shot of the Beetham Tower and The Street - amazing! How recent is that picture - because it looks like the Rovers exterior has had a lick of paint... the "Newton & Ridley" wording has been missing for years since it became a freehouse - on the opening titles you can still see the pegs that held on the lettering.

It looks very recent, the Beetham Tower was completed earlier this year, but the Hilton sign has been up less than a month or so.