The Rovers returns from the ashes in time for new birth

Coronation Street bosses yesterday revealed that the Rovers Return is back to its former glory as its rebuilding is complete – and it has stayed true to its historic look, down to the same wallpaper.
By The Newsroom
Published 17th May 2013, 01:01 BST
The new Rovers ReturnThe new Rovers Return
The new Rovers Return

It has been more than two months since the fire started by Karl Munro (John Michie) devastated the Rovers and now his partner, landlady Stella Price (Michelle Collins), is getting back behind her newly-refurbished bar.

The pub’s reopening will be the setting for Tina McIntyre (Michelle Keegan) giving birth to her surrogate child for Gary Windass (Mikey North) and Izzy Armstrong (Cherylee Houston) when she goes into labour two months early.

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Coronation Street’s art director Rosie Mullins-Hoyle said of the redesign: “For myself it is an iconic set and perhaps the most famous in the country so there is a lot of pressure to get it right and do it justice.

The new Rovers ReturnThe new Rovers Return
The new Rovers Return

“I was given a brief from producer Stuart Blackburn that the pub needed to feel like the Rovers – it needed to keep its character, the changes needed to be subtle and people had to notice new things about it after seeing a few episodes.

“Stella had made a conscious effort to try to make it feel like the same pub. In the back room she has picked out the same wallpaper she had before as this is her home and she wants it to feel like it did.”

Ms Mullins-Hoyle explained they bought the wallpaper in bulk in case it was discontinued as it potentially needed to last them another 50 years.

She said Mr Blackburn wanted Rovers to appear decorated with items from a shut-down pub.

Related topics:BlackburnMichelle Collins