ITV and Coronation Street to move to MediaCityUK
ITV has finally confirmed that it is to move its Manchester-based operation, including Coronation Street, to MediaCityUK at Salford Quays.
Britain's longest-running soap will take up residence in a new studio while ITV staff, including the Granada regional news team, will move to MediaCityUK in 2012.
Before the official announcement this morning, it had long been an open secret that ITV was planning to move from Quay Street to the £650m development, where it will be neighbours with the BBC.
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."
John Whittaker, chairman of MediaCityUK developer The Peel Group, described ITV's decision to move as "a landmark deal".
Bryan Gray, chairman of Peel Media, added: "To have both ITV and the BBC on the same campus, as well as our new partnership with SIS, will act as a catalyst to other like-minded companies to consider making MediaCityUK their home from 2011.”
Several floors within MediaCityUK's Orange tower have been earmarked for ITV's production, management and regional news teams and support staff.
ITV's Granada news bulletins will broadcast from a dedicated studio within the Orange building.
For Coronation Street, ITV is to build a standalone production facility that will occupy a 7.7 acre site adjacent to the Imperial War Museum North.
The Corrie studio will be subject to a "long-term lease" and it will have access to the main MediaCityUK complex via a newly-built bridge due to open in the new year.
Coronation Street's move to MediaCityUK is subject to planning consent from Trafford Council, but that looks unlikely to be a stumbling block given the comments of the leader of Trafford Council.
Cllr Matt Colledge said: "I am absolutely delighted that ITV have chosen Trafford as the proposed new site for one of the most iconic streets in Britain."
ITV Studios is the north west's biggest producer of original content, making 700 hours of programming annually. It will have the opportunity to use MediaCityUK's production facilities, which will be ready early next year.
ITV joins BBC North, the University of Salford and Satellite Information Services as key occupiers of the £650m development.