It’s been reported by the Sun’s TV Biz today that the bosses of Coronation Street have ordered a “stockpile” of episodes to be filmed to cover any delays to the filming schedule that may arise when the show moves its base.

As you’re probably aware, the show has previously been filmed in studios in central Manchester, but is moving permanently to the MediaCity UK development in Salford.

The show’s executive producer, Kieran Roberts, said, “Over the course of the next year we’re going to get a little bit further ahead of ourselves than we normally do.”

The show’s episodes are usually filmed around six weeks in advance of their air date, but the new initiative could see the stars filming up to ten weeks ahead of screening.

A source at the soap said, “Everyone wants the move to go well and as a result we are throwing everything into preparing for it…

“If that means working round the clock then they will. It is as an extra precaution as Coronation Street has never been off air in its history.”

The paper adds, “ITV will build a bespoke production and studio centre for Corrie on the eight-acre MediaCityUK site at Trafford Wharf, next to the Imperial War Museum North.”

It had been thought that the site of the original studios would be sold to developers, however, after it was reported that the famous cobbles may become listed by English Heritage as a place of historic interest, those plans may now be shelved, if not cancelled entirely.