I'm not sure we will be able to top the huge 58 comments we had last week, but this weeks topic is certainly less controversial anyway "Does The Street Need A Make-Over"?
In the first 30 years of the show, the street saw many changes where the posh side of the street stands now. We had the Raincoat Factory, the Mission, the maisonettes and Mike Baldwin's old Knicker Factory until the the current set-up was erected by Maurice Jones in 1990.
And since then really, nothing has changed much on the exterior of the street, which is a disappointment considering Phil Collinson himself promised "the street would never be the same again" when he announced the Tram Crash. However, apart from a different Corner Shop facade, the street looks exactly the same, which is a big disappointment. There is probably not much that could be done with the street, I mean you can hardly demolish the Posh side, where people live, to expand Carla's factory. But, the highly underused Medical Centre and Bookies could certainly be revamped to fit the 21st century.
So do you think that the Street (or surrounding areas) needs a make-over? Its a YAY from me, I'm getting sick of the current layout. Hopefully the street design is altered a bit when the set moves in 2012. What about you?
It's a nay from me - I don't see much of a point to be honest, though I wouldn't mind a couple of places getting refurbished in due course. The fact that the street seldom changes adds to the positive feeling of familiarity.
ReplyDeleteThe flats aren't used really, are they? I know they've got hardly any space to expand / play around until they move the set to its new home.
ReplyDeleteit looked better in B&W
ReplyDeleteNay
ReplyDeleteNay. I don't think we need to change it, especially as the scale is due to be increased as it is. The only thing I think needs sorting is the fact it is so clean. Where are the broken phone boxes etc.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to say yay on this one. The Old terrace should stay, but Webster's Garage should move under the railway arches, thus providing room for more housing or small workshops, say an artists studio. Nick's should go out of business, a street that size would never have enough business for it and the Rovers. It should be replaced by a sauna (genuine but there could be rumours....).
ReplyDeleteBeing serious for a minute I think the move will be the time to expand the set a bit, maybe a street called "Jubilee Street" backing on to the Ginnel with primary school in it.
Nay. It wouldn't be realistic to change it. We're in a recession so who would have the money to develop the buildings or radically change their properties. In fact, we probably need more 'for sale' and 'to let' signs up. My town is full of vacant shops where businesses have closed down.
ReplyDeleteMost certainly a N A Y from me. Leave Corrie the wat it is however, I know what the studio looks like as I have been there a number of years ago, and I do know that the upstairs to Sally's house etc are false. What we don't ever seem to see on Corrie is the upstairs rooms e.g. Has anyone watched David go into his bedroom? We have, but only from the downstairs. This would be a little different to me.
ReplyDeleteYay - Lets demolish the corner shop and have everyone go to Tesco Express. That would mean the Alahans could move to Timbucktoo - PLEASE!
ReplyDeleteThey should bring in tenants of the flats into the storylines. I personally think they should demolish Underworld, its so stuck in the 1970s its just not credible any longer.
Nay. I think it's ok the way it is. We don't need big changes. Every town and village changes gradually, but not streets. Look at the other soaps - no big changes really. Corrie is the only one that has changed its layout in the last 25 years.
ReplyDeleteabsolutely nothing major, maybe a paint job here and there or some window boxes. Leave the major things alone.
ReplyDeleteNay - being a traditionalist I like the terrace and the cobbles, and this sort of street is still 'current' in Salford, but there is still room for some sort of makeover - I like Paula's idea of moving Kevin under the arches, and I think that there is plenty of scope to extend the action outside the Street and give a lift to the whole setting. The shops (kebab and butchers) are hardly used - and is the chippy still there? Perhaps these could be redeveloped or revamped - possibly into something selling cheap frocks and fripperies as all the cast members seem to have new clothes each episode. COuld be a new angle for Corrie too - the ghost of Gamma Garments!
ReplyDeleteyay, I think that something needs to be done just to give it a fresher vibe, nothing so dramatic.. I think the street is fine the way it is but maybe just expanding upon the street abit more, seeing new streets or just see some more people who live in the flats!
ReplyDeleteHow about some grass area! A park or some community area that people could go to walk the dog, children to play etc
I like the bookies - I live near one just like it.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the comment about how it looked in B&W - obviously a grittier vibe. The factory does seem out of date, at least for producing underpants - perhaps something else? What I'd love to see changed is the hideousness of Vera's cladding and interior design! Yay from me, but nothing too dramatic.
ReplyDeleteNay. Part of what makes Corrie special, is its history and familiarity. Plus, most normal streets don't just get makeovers. To see the Street gradually evolve over time is important though.
ReplyDeleteWhen Granada Studios were open to the public, I attended to see Coronation Street. If I had been told a day or so beforehand that they had altered the style etc, I probably would not have gone while not been as interested. Therefore, if you change ANY of Corrie setting e.g. the street, the shops etc, then Corrie viewers will probably find that Corrie is not Coronation Street any longer, and the ratings could decline. I think it MUST be kept to the original setting as it is right now...and, I insist and you don't want to lose me well, do you?
ReplyDeleteJust wish they'd open up Maudsley Street. It backs onto Coronation Street. How come you NEVER see a maudsley Street resident putting the bins out in the shared ginnel? Every resident in Coronation St drinks regularly in the Rovers, so wouldn't the Maudsley Street crew do so also? Wouldn't they all know each other (especially Norris & Rita, who've been delivering their papers for years, and yet strictly restrict their socialising to residents of Coronation Street). Wouldn't some of the Maudsley Streeters just OCCASIONALLY pop across the ginnel for a cuppa? I really think this should be the next expansion for the show, while leaving the Street itself pretty much as it is.
ReplyDeleteOh, and for heaven's sake, use the Victoria Street flats. Can't Dr Carter buy one?
Surely most of the "erecting" of the present set by Maurice Jones took place in 1989? The first new characters moved in in February 1990!
ReplyDeletethey should get rid of that awful mural of the street which i think is next to the rovers which looks so false. it gives the impression there is a train line at the back of the houses.
ReplyDeleteWe have seen people making Knickers etc in Underworld for many years, but we haven't ever seen them sell these to the public and when i say the public, I mean people who belong to streets of Coronation Street. Why can't Underworld use one of the shops in the street or just have a special section in the factory, where anyone can go along and purchase their garments? I think it will be great to see Kevin buy a few pairs of underpants for himself, head back to his garage and put these down while answering a phone call. He comes back to pick up his underpants only to find that Tyrone is using them to wipe his greasy hands. What about Mary buys Norris a pair from the factory and makes him feel embarrassed when she holds them up in the air asking if these will fit him?
ReplyDeleteI stayed in a Blackpool B&B some years ago, and while having breakfast,some woman (and real Lancashire type of women)in their late fifties to sixties, were saying that when they go in a hairdressers, it's REAL Lancashire gossip with all the ladies. Not everyone knows each other, but their tongues don't half hang out for a bit of gossip. Why can't we see more customers having a bit of gossip and joining in, instead of just the cast as usual? It would be great to see some woman putting David in his place at times when he's arguing with Audrey.
ReplyDeleteDon't they ever have postman delivering letters or delivery drivers emptying the Royal Mail Pillar Box in Corrie anymore?
ReplyDeleteYay, but with caveats: The set's being rebuilt at Salford Quays, and if it was up to me, I'd have built them real size with real rooms inside - like the Brookside set of a few years ago. It's be nice to see the houses lit properly, rather than with the artificial lights at the moment. (Of course the Rovers would have to be built somewhere else, unless ITV has access to TARDIS technology). The actual layout is fine, but I'd just like it to be more realistic.
ReplyDeleteIt does not need a makeover, but please get rid of some of the screeching younger characters, or... please let there be less arguments.
ReplyDeleteThe change I like to see is a more feelgood atmosphere all round.
Only one household has a nearly good atmosphere and that is Haley and Roy.
Also let the Websters sort themselves out. The two girls to emigrate and Kevin and Sally plus the baby make up.
Johan