How Far From Coronation Street To Albion Market?

How far is the Coronation Street set from the old Albion Market set? asks Stuart.

I've heard that the old Albion Market set is still standing. Is that true? And if so, could it be revived?

Look at the aerial view for locations, Stuart. Albion Market is just across the road from Coronation Street!

The Albion Market set is still recognisable, although part of the old warehouse has now been demolished and the (then) derelict warehouses nearby (which housed the "Bubbles" Disco in the show) are now the Victoria and Albert Hotel.

Several other buildings associated with Albion Market - the Waterman's Arms pub and Klyne's bookies - were demolished for the hotel development in the early 1990s.

It would be impossible to revive the show in the original setting, and, fond of it though I was, I don't think anybody would ever want to!

Read my '80s Actual Albion Market article here and an uploader to YouTube pays homage to the show below.

That theme tune sets my spine tingling!

Granada Plus - How Coronation Street Was Snipped...

Granada Plus advertising pamphlet from the 1990s.

Recently a friend of mine was watching an episode of Albion Market. And he realised something rather odd. My friend has a full collection of Albion Market episodes as shown on Granada Plus in the 1990s, but he was now viewing an episode taped in the mid-1980s, when the series first appeared.

And the mid-1980s original episode featured several scenes not included in the Granada Plus '90s repeat.

The show had been edited. Snipped, for its satellite appearance.

Comparisons of other episodes of Albion Market - from the original mid-1980s broadcasts and Granada Plus - showed that the snippers had been rather busy.

Coronation Street, of course, was also shown by Granada Plus, and I lapped up the era 1976-1983, which saw me from young lad to late teen during its original ITV screenings.

But surely Granada Plus would not interfere with The Street? I mean, Albion Market is one thing, but Corrie!!

Surprise surprise, looking at some original full length Corrie eps and comparing them to the GP broadcasts I'm sorry to say that edits were made.

I recall nothing being said at the time - we viewers were certainly not informed that The Street and The Market were being edited as far as I'm aware.

The editing of The Street was quite sensibly done. But the editing of Albion Market left at least one small but puzzling hole in the plot.

Ah well - never mind.

In both cases, it was good to see what was broadcast!

Albion Market

With Corrie producer Bill Podmore at the helm, it seemed that Albion Market was destined for big things. Produced by Granada, it was billed as being Coronation Street's stable mate and seemed sure to be a long runner.

The show was launched in 1985, and ended in 1986 - after exactly 100 episodes.

What was it about? Why did it end? And was it as "good" as Eldorado? Read all about Albion Market here.