An Asian shop 'makes Street complete'

Auditions are currently taking place for the new family of four, with two grown-up children.

They will help run the street's famous corner shop, owned for many years by Alf Roberts, played by Shipley actor Bryan Mosley.

And they will be following in the footsteps of other famous characters such as Reg Holdsworth and his wife Maureen, Betty Turpin - who worked behind the counter - and current owner, butcher Fred Elliott.

Street fan Gurmeet Singh Dhami, who has run her shop in Bradford Road, Pudsey, for 15 years, said: "It's nice to hear that they are going to do it.

"More Asian people will watch it now there are Asian people in the programme."

She added: "It's exciting. I think it is a great idea."

Mohammed Patel, who has a shop in Manchester Road, Bradford, said he was not a fan of the top soap but would definitely watch it to see what the family is like.

"Other Asian people will watch it," said Mr Patel, who has run his shop for about ten years.

"The programme makers should have done it before, but it's never too late."

Raj Chatha and her daughter Jasvir, who help run Chatha's Newsagents in Bierley Lane, Bierley, were delighted.

Mrs Chatha said: "It's a great idea. If you look around there are a lot of shops which are owned by Asians."

Jasvir, 16, agreed. She said: "It's about time. I watch 'Corrie', although I'm not a big fan. Everyone watches soaps, not just white people, and so it might increase the ratings."

She said putting the family in the corner shop did reinforce stereotypes.

She added: "I hope the characters do what other people do and go in pubs and be part of everything."

A Coronation Street spokesman said: "With the way the storylines were going it seemed appropriate to bring in the new family in this way."

Filming is expected to begin in February.

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