Coronation Street has introduced a new set for its residents to visit.

The soap opera’s characters will now be able to visit a dessert shop, bakery, pound store, charity shop, Chinese takeaway and pawnbrokers in the new Weatherfield Precinct.

The 1960s-style units with a row of maisonettes above them have been mentioned by those living on the street for years but have never actually appeared on screen, until now.

On Thursday, Sally Dynevor who plays Sally Metcalfe cut a red ribbon to officially open the set as other cast members set off confetti cannons in celebration.

Coronation Street unveils new Weatherfield Precinct set

Daniel Brocklebank, who plays vicar Billy Mayhew, told the PA news agency: “It’s fantastic. It gives me an opportunity to play more stuff.

“There’s something brilliantly depressing about how rundown it looks.

“I think Billy is probably going to be spending time in the charity shop.”

Building work has been going on for nine months with filming continuing around it and Thursday was the first time the cast saw the finished product.

Elle Mulvaney, who plays Amy Barlow, said: “It’s mint. It’s the first time I’ve seen it and I can’t get over the amount of detail, it looks like it’s been here for years.

“It’s so good for the younger cast to have the precinct. There’s a lot of fun to be had.”

St Helens Star: The Gregory Pope Foundation charity shop in the new Weatherfield Precinct setThe Gregory Pope Foundation charity shop in the new Weatherfield Precinct set (Image: ITV/PA)

James Craven, who plays Aaron Sandford, added: “It just looks like it has been cut out of Salford and brought here.

“Something’s bound to kick off here!”

The unveiling on Thursday saw props in place, including a mobility scooter with a copy of the Weatherfield Gazette and a Thermos flask in the basket.

There’s also a children’s play area included in the new set.

Filming is to start at the new set next week with one of the first storylines being filmed in Gregory Pope Foundation charity shop, where Roy Cropper and Evelyn Plummer will volunteer their services.

Producer Iain MacLeod said: “Hats off to our design and construction teams who have conjured a totally convincing new precinct for our drama.

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“They took their inspiration from Salford’s many real-world, late 20th century shopping areas and what they have created is a brilliant, characterful space to tell a diverse range of stories.

“Expect to see teens hanging out at the dessert shop, families enjoying the play area and, after dark, a rogues’ gallery, up to shady business in the ginnels.

“I am really excited by the arrival on screen of this much discussed but never seen corner of the Weatherfield universe.”