Corrie fans can toast another glass at the Rovers Return after an extension was granted to extend Coronation Street the Tour.
Operator Continuum Leading Attractions has confirmed that Coronation Street the Tour will go beyond the initially agreed closing date in October.
The tourist attraction has garnered considerable attention after having more than 250,000 people visit the tour since its opening in April 2014, with more than 10,000 people a week estimated to continue to visit following the extension.
Juliana Delaney, Chief Executive of Continuum Leading Attractions, said: “I am thrilled to announce that we have been able to extend the opening of the attraction.
“The feedback we have received so far has been phenomenal and I’m so pleased those who have yet to experience the tour will now have the chance to.
“It’s a privilege to work with ITV within Manchester’s vibrant economy to tell the story of this high- profile cultural asset to fans from around the world.”
Its cultural and economic value has made it ‘one of the highest profile visitor attractions outside of London’.
Coronation Street the Tour offers visitors a unique opportunity to go behind the scenes of the much loved soap, to see the dressing rooms and selected interior sets and even stop for a photo in the Rovers Return.
Upon stepping out onto the hallowed cobbles, guests can spend as long as they would like exploring the street, gardens and even the ginnel.
Creating more than 80 jobs, Marketing Manchester has said the attraction originally had the potential to generate up to £2.25million for the local economy.
Andrew Stokes of Marketing Manchester said: “2014 has been a fantastic year for Greater Manchester’s tourism industry with record visitor numbers and packed hotels.
“Of course, Coronation Street the Tour has played a significant role in this narrative, giving Manchester’s thriving economy an additional boost whilst offering a unique opportunity for visitors to celebrate an iconic cultural treasure.”
“We are thrilled that the attraction will extend its run into 2015 and wish the team at Continuum every success for its duration.”
ITV has expressed their delight at the extension, which will eventually close to make way for a cultural quarter, hotels and residential development by Allied London.
“We are delighted with the public‘s reaction to Coronation Street the Tour. We are very impressed with the way Continuum is bringing alive the experience to the fans of the nation’s street.
“It is brilliant to be able to allow them to enjoy this special part of the Corrie story a while longer.”
Image courtesy of Allen Lee, with thanks.
