Coronation Street hits the road for new seven-acre studio site

Coronation Street is to move to a new cutting-edge studio, ITV announced today.

The broadcaster is now seeking planning permission for a seven-acre site in Manchester which would include an external film set, two sound stage buildings, specialist production facilities and offices, dressing rooms and a meeting space for production staff and cast.

It follows ITV's decision to move out of its city centre base into a new production hub, MediaCityUK, in Salford Quays, in 2012.

The new Coronation Street set would be next to the Imperial War Museum North.

Adam Crozier, chief executive of ITV, said the move was "fantastic news" for the show which has just celebrated its 50th anniversary.