Granada Studios have been making a wide range of quality television from here on Quay Street since the mid 1950s. By quality I'd include University Challenge, Seven Up, The World in Action, The Krypton Factor, The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, Brideshead Revisisted and The Jewel in the Crown.
Also some programmes in quantity (e.g. the ubiquitous Coronation Street) and a range of forgettable sitcoms in the 1960s and 1970s: The Lovers, Cuckoo Waltz and Nearest and Dearest spring to mind.
The architecture and fading signage screams to all that it is patently from the 1950s era. There are still a few other signs around the city with this classic fifties font, including the nearby Bridge Street Cleaners.
Granada is moving to Media City to become a neighbour to the BBC and a slice of Manchester television's history will soon go the way of the 1970s BBC New Broadcasting House on Oxford Road, which is being demolished as I type.
Mancunian Wave is linked today, of course, to ABC Wednesday .
A heads up that September's City Daily Photo theme day (this Saturday 1 September) will be people-watching. You can link to it at: http://cdpbthemeday.blogspot.com.au .
Love the composition here with the window reflections and the street sign and the lady walking by. Dread to think what they'll replace the old BBC building with. Guess I should visit Media City sometime and take a look there.
ReplyDeleteYes Media City is well worth a visit, though it's a bit overhyped IMHO. It's just a few modern buildings in a waterside setting. For me it can't (yet) compete with Bush House or Broadcasting House in London, but is probably better than the old TV Centre at White City ;-)
DeleteI was down near Granada earlier this week for the first time in ages and of course it is now surrounded by other buildings. I preferred it when the area in front of the entrance was a wasteland!
ReplyDeleteAs you say Chrissy, this building is so 50's , amazing that it's managed to stay around for so long really. I have to admit to an addiction to Coronation Street, I don't watch any of the Aussie soapies like 'Home and Away etc, just Corrie St. Crazy hey!!
ReplyDeleteYou'll be well up on local events here then Grace ;-)
DeleteIt is truly a '50's building, but nothing wrong with that! Kate, ABC Team
ReplyDeleteGrande!
ReplyDeleteGolden Rule
Rose, ABC Wednesday Team
Very interesting post Chrissy, thanks for sharing! I'm fan of "The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes"! :)
ReplyDeleteLéia
Chrissy it is a shot from the past! Wonderful. Good capture.
ReplyDeleteYes, some quality shows from there.
ReplyDeleteROG, ABC Wednesday team
Again something goes away from the past !
ReplyDeleteWe are in the middle of (re)watching "The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes" - wonderful Granada show! How sad to think this chapter of TV history is going away, just on the heels of the BBC radio news not long ago.
ReplyDeleteEven over here in the colonies we know Granada TV!
ReplyDeleteRemember while listening to an English Radio Station, people talking about Coronation Street - thank you for the memories very much ! Please have a wonderful Thursday.
ReplyDeleteGreat photo. Just one bone to pick ... 'The Lovers' is a classic, Richard Beckinsale as Geoffrey 'Bubbles' BonBon, what's not to like?
ReplyDelete