STREET BRAWL CAUGHT ON FILM
Tributes to 22 killed in attack at heart of cobbles revamp Police hunt group after fight ends up on road
COSTA AND THE CO-OP IT MAY look like it’s all change on the cobbles but this new set is grounded in tradition.
Coronation Street’s revamped and extended exterior lot, unveiled to the cast yesterday, now features a Costa, a Co-op, a tram stop and a police station.
But the stars playing out plotlines against the new backdrop at Manchester’s Trafford Wharf Road site will be standing on 7000 cobbles salvaged from the old Quay Street site, Corrie’s home from 1982 to 2013.
The bigger Weatherfield, a continuation to the 1999 addition of part of Victoria Street, can be seen from April 20. Producer Kate TATTOO PARLOUR ROY’S ROLLS Oates said: “It represents an exciting chapter in Corrie history, full of dramatic potential.”
In a poignant tribute, the urban garden is dedicated to the 22 people killed in the Manchester Arena bombing last May – including Corrie superfan Martyn Hett.
Its mosaic-covered bench features 22 flowers, representing the victims.
Martyn’s family had a private viewing last week and yesterday visited again to scatter his ashes.
His dad Paul said: “Martyn would have loved it. The whole family has been so touched by the gesture.”
The extension was planned after ITV moved to six episodes a week. Much was built from reclaimed brick, slate, metal and tile.
Costa and Co-op have product placement deals but characters will not be seen going in or out.
Julia Goulding, who plays Shona Ramsey, said: “The characters have always walked to the tram, it’s just we can now see them doing it.”
Daniel Brocklebank (vicar Billy Mayhew) added: “It’s great they want to expand the show.” FORMER cast member Sean Wilson, who played Martin Platt until he quit 13 years ago, is returning to the street.
The actor, 52, who is back in the soap this month, has become an award-winning cheesemaker and chef in his time away from TV.
His character returns to join the aftermath of his son David’s rape. Sean, pictured left, said: “Martin begins to get quite worried
about him.” YOUNG people who were involved in a mass brawl were being hunted by police yesterday.
Fighting broke out on Sunday afternoon on the busy Saltmarket, close to the centre of Glasgow.
Images taken by a witness showed a vehicle that was forced to stop as the rammy spilled on to the street.
Other motorists showed their concerns by sounding horns as the disturbance spread from the pavement to the road.
Passers-by were earlier seen giving the group a wide berth.
The disturbances happened hours after the end of Rangers’ match with Celtic, which had a noon kick-off.
The person who took the images said: “I heard the commotion outside and looked out my window.
“It happens a lot outside when the football is on so I’m used to it.
“The girls that were there were lucky if they were 16 or 17. There were at least two fights – one was at 4.14pm, the second was 5.11pm.
“The police van came along and took statements after the first one and people were running along the street.
“There was lots of screaming and bawling and four different groups seemed to be fighting the second time round.
“It looked like some people came from different pubs as they were running across the street.
“Some people will wake up with a sore face this morning.”
The match itself saw only six arrests around Ibrox Stadium. Police said they were investigating.