First look as Corrie unveils plans for major set transformation with new shopping precinct

Coronation Street has unveiled a new look as the long-running soap moves to hour-long episodes and an 8pm time slot on ITV.

The much-loved soap has revealed the latest addition to its set - the Weatherfield Precinct.

The impressive two storey construction will feature maisonettes, a staircase and balcony leading to the properties, a piazza and an array of accessible local shops and units, which will extend the set based on the programme’s 7.7 acre site in Trafford.

READ MORE: Chelsee Healey shares video of 'mini me' daughter dancing with straightened hair as fans say she's her double

The vision of production designer Rosie Mullins-Hoyle the development begins construction this week and will take six months to complete.

Rosie said about the development: "We are extremely excited to be starting to build Weatherfield Precinct this week after a year of technical drawings, model making, visualising and planning.

"An incredible amount of research has been carried out focussing on 1960s local architecture and we are striving to create an authentic area of Weatherfield with a grittier vibe to the existing street that we know and love."

Rosie continued: "The build is being led by myself and construction manager Keith Eccleston and is a fantastic opportunity to use some of the amazing behind the scene talents we have on the show with bespoke joinery, scenic art work, graphic design and set dressing skills all being involved.

"I cannot wait to meet the characters that may call it home and see the businesses that will be created and the storytelling potential of an old but new part of Weatherfield.”

The precinct has often cropped up in the soap’s dialogue with characters heading off to the parade of shops.

Soap bosses say the new