Hays Travel to make Coronation Street debut next week

A mock-up Hays Travel branch will make its first appearance on Coronation Street on Monday (December 4).

A storefront has been produced, with a ‘coming soon’ hoarding seen from October 24.

The UK’s largest independent travel agency group announced the partnership with the ITV soap opera in May 2023.

Owner and chair Dame Irene Hays visited the Coronation Street set where she met Peter Fergusson, ITV business development controller. and Anthony Privilege, branch manager of Hays Travel Prescot, who was selected to be ‘honorary manager for the day’ in fictional Weatherfield.

Dame Irene said: “Our thanks to the team at ITV who worked with our in-house property team on our shop’s design and production. 

“The on set branch had to look just like all our Hays Travel shops on high streets across the UK; we are proud of the finished result and look forward to seeing it on TV in December.”

ITV business development director Jason Spencer said: “We are really proud of our ongoing partnership since Hays Travel returned to TV advertising at the start of the year and we’re now delighted to see the opening of the Hays Travel store in Coronation Street, enabling Weatherfield’s residents to have a travel agents on their doorstep for the very first time.

“We’re all looking forward to seeing Hays Travel frequently on the cobbles from December, helping make a fabulous brand even more famous across the UK and beyond.”

Privilege added: “I am a huge Coronation Street fan and remember my nan taking me to visit the set when I was a young lad. 

“Being back on set brought back lots of memories and was quite an emotional experience. 

“I think this partnership is brilliant; we have Hays Travel branches across the UK, so of course there should be one as part of the UK’s most famous street.”

Pictured with Dame Irene are Peter Fergusson (left) and Anthony Privilege.