Exploring Weatherfield: A deep dive into the fictional town from Coronation Street, it's iconic locations and businesses

When it comes to long-running legacy British soap operas, Coronation Street effortlessly takes the cake. Coronation Street holds the record for being the longest-running soap opera in the history of television and commands a cultural impact in the world of British television. Coronation Street premiered for the first time back on December 9, 1960, and ever since then has been on air, dishing out more than ten thousand episodes.

Coronation Street is based in the fictional town of Weatherfield, and this is where much of the action of the show takes place. Over the years, the beloved soap opera has cemented its position as a mirror of British society. Apart from providing entertainment, the show has time and again taken up serious issues ranging from bigamy, serial killers, unwanted pregnancy, and the like. The ITV show also has the distinction of introducing the first ever transgender character on British television.

Here's everything that we know about Weatherfield from Coronation Street.

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Which real-life place is the setting for Weatherfield in Coronation Street?

Weatherfield is a fictional town that is based on the real town of Salford, located near the northern city of Manchester in the UK. Salford is a quintessential North Western British town that exhibits cobbled streets and buildings from the dawn of the industrial revolution. It is this vibrant setting that translates into the authenticity of the ITV show.

The long-running soap opera has always been shot mostly on location in and around Salford and Manchester. The former Granada Studio Complex and the current MediaCityUK located in the Salford Quays have served as the studios facilitating the filming of the soap opera.

Since the show has been running for so many years, the fictional town of Weatherfield has been attributed with many telling details. It abounds with local businesses and places of interest, the predominant one being the Rovers Return pub. Modelled as a true North Western pub, this place has seen many of the heartfelt exchanges and memorable moments as well as domestic brawls that have transpired on the show.

Apart from the pub, there are two separate news agents in Weatherfield, namely the Kabin and the Corner Shop. Both of them have a propensity for bickering amongst themselves. If one were to get hungry while roaming the streets of Weatherfield, Roy's Rolls is the go-to place. In case the occasion calls for a high-end venue, there's a wine bar known as the Bistro. One must also not forget about Audrey's Salon and the knicker factory known as the Underworld.

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Coronation Street genesis explained

British screenwriter Tony Warren, whose real name was Anthony McVay Simpson, created the ITV show. Warren was trained in theatre at Liverpool and conceived the show while en route to Manchester by train. The network was initially hesitant to give the show the green light. However, following the instant popularity enjoyed by the first thirteen episodes, the show started broadcasting all across the UK and went on to become the most watched soap opera in the year 1961.