Corrie's iconic Rovers Return faces closure after decades serving locals

24 July 2023 , 23:01

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The Rovers Return is synonymous with Coronation Street and its fictional residents, but could the iconic pub be in trouble? Barmaid Jenny faces some tough decisions on the ITV soap this week (Image: PA)

The cost of living crisis is set to hit Coronation Street later this week as the Rovers Return grapples with some financial issues.

Coronation Street viewers will watch as Jenny Connor ( Sally Ann Matthews ) admits the pub is struggling - with barmaid horrified when it's suggested she cuts her losses and sells up. Jenny confides in Owen Longford (Ben Hull) about the Rovers' money woes and is horrified when the businessman suggests putting the pub on the market.

As Jenny makes it clear selling up isn't an option, Stephen suggests that rather than increasing prices, she should reduce portion sizes.

But how will the new hot pots go down with the regulars? Their dining is also interrupted by a loud bang from the kitchen which sees the lights go out inside the Rovers Return - what happened?

Jenny catches Kirk, Gary, George and Sean drinking in Ed's garden following the price hike

Jenny tells Daisy and Glenda that on Stephen’s advice, she’s putting up bar prices and room rental. The staff are also shocked to discover she’s cutting their shifts, and the customers are left unimpressed by the price hike.

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The Rovers Return has been present on the cobbled streets of Weatherfield ever since the ITV soap first aired in December 1960. The pub's back story involves fictional brewery Newton and Ridley building the boozer in 1902 on the newly built Coronation Street (1902 being Coronation year for Edward VII).

It was originally to be called The Coronation, but the brewery was forced to change the name as the go-ahead had already been given for the street to be named Coronation Street. Over the years, The Rovers Return has suffered multiple fires, seen a lorry crash into the bar and been the venue many much-loved characters perform some of their most iconic lines.

The Rovers Return and Jenny are facing uncertain times

The fictional pub's price list left soap fans baffled earlier this year, Dee-Dee Bailey (played by Channique Sterling-Brown) popped into the Rovers Return for a "huge" wine. "Oh, bad day?" Jenny asked as she poured the drink, before suggesting: "I'll tell you what. Why don't I just give you the bottle and a straw?"

Reacting to the price of the wine on social media, one viewer quipped: "£5 for a glass of screw top wine??? #Corrie." A second posted on Twitter as the episode played out: "Not even that big a glass. Back in the real world pubs are struggling."

Zoe Delaney