THEN & NOW THE ROVERS RETURN
Welcome to Then and Now, where each week we compare images of Manchester streets, landmarks and buildings from bygone days with how they look today
OUR main image this week shows the bar at the Rovers Return, Coronation Street, in April 1968. A rowdy crowd seem to be drinking there, much to the dismay of barmaid Emily Nugent, left, played by Eileen Derbyshire and Hilda Ogden, portrayed by Jean Alexander.
Also taking a drink is Street regular Jerry Booth, second left, played by Graham Haberfield.
A focal point for many storylines over the years, the Coronation Street pub was named after the well-known Rovers Return Inn that used to occupy a 14th century building in Withy Grove. It lost its licence in 1924 and was eventually pulled down in 1958.
The Coronation Street version of the Rovers, including the exterior, was originally set entirely inside Granada studios.
All the houses were three-quarter scale which meant actors had to walk slowly past them to avoid looking abnormally large!
Production techniques at the time made it difficult to record and edit sequences filmed in different locations. It was only in 1967 that the Street used separate interior and exterior sets.
The Rovers was transformed again in 1982 when the Queen opened an almost full-size set on the Granada backlot.
It expanded again when filming moved from Quay Street studios to MediaCity to meet the demands of high-definition TV.
In 2000, Prince Charles popped into the Rovers for a whisky during the soap’s 40th anniversary celebrations. Our photo shows him chatting to landlady Natalie Barnes, played by Denise Welch.
Our third image shows some of the current cast - including Maureen Lipman - in the Rovers as it is today.
Many more images from Then and Now are featured in The Changing Face of Manchester published to mark the 150th anniversary of the M.E.N. It’s on sale at £14.99 including postage and packing. Order your copy online at inostalgia.co.uk or ring the order hotline on 01928 503777.
1982
JANUARY 16: Manchester City striker Trevor Francis, second left, leaves the field at Maine Road after beating Cardiff City in the Third Round of the FA Cup.
Francis scored twice in the Blues’ 3-1 victory with the other goal coming from Bobby McDonald.
City fared less well in the next round, losing 1-3 at home to Coventry City.
Trevor Francis ended the season as Blues’ top scorer with 14 goals. City finished 10th in the First Division on 58 points.