Peel Group subsidiary Peel Media has confirmed that ITV is to move its Manchester-based operation, including Coronation Street, to MediaCityUK at Salford Quays.
The announcement ends months of speculation that the UK’s largest independent broadcaster will join the BBC at Peel’s Greater Manchester scheme.
Coronation Street will relocate to a new state-of-the-art production facility, which will be built on the Trafford Quays side of the Manchester Ship Canal, adjacent to the Imperial War Museum North. ITV staff, including the ITV Granada regional news team, will take up residence in offices on the Salford Quays side of the development in 2012.
The broadcaster will build a bespoke stand-alone production and studio centre for Coronation Street, subject to a long-term lease, on a 7.7-acre site, which will be accessed by a new bridge to the main MediaCityUK site.
The office space will be across several floors in the “Orange” building, which is also occupied by the University of Salford. ITV’s regional news team will broadcast from a dedicated studio within the same building.
ITV chief executive Adam Crozier said: “This continues our long and successful relationship with the region, which has played such a key part in ITV’s heritage as a programme maker. Coronation Street is an incredible brand and, as we celebrate its 50th anniversary, it’s fantastic news that we are able to invest in the construction of a modern production centre to ensure that the nation’s best-loved soap remains at the top of its game for another half a century.”
The Peel Group chairman John Whittaker said: “ITV is an outstanding international brand, producing a fantastic range of popular programmes and I am delighted it has taken a strategic decision to move to MediaCityUK. This is a landmark deal for both MediaCityUK and The Peel Group, and is critical in helping to deliver the long-term vision that we share with all our partners.”
HOW Planning has submitted a planning application to Trafford council for the bespoke production and studio centre for Coronation Street.
Gary Halman, partner at HOW Planning, said: “This has been a very complex and considered process for Granada as the move will be the first in its long history. It’s timely however as Coronation Street celebrates its 50th Anniversary in December this year, and state of the art studios, production facilities and a brand new set will be built at Trafford to allow a smooth transfer from the Quay Street campus in the city centre, which is no longer best suited to the company’s needs.”
Capita Symonds advised ITV on the move.
daniel.cunningham@estatesgazette.com
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