Community Centre flat

Along with the centre itself, a one bedroomed flat was included at the front of the bulding, directly opposite the Corner Shop, and had the address No 16 Coronation Street. A door from the flat led into the centre, and was intended as the caretaker's accomodation.

Ena Sharples was the first caretaker, and took over the post in June 1971. During a short break a few months later, the stand in, Nancy Crossely impressed the centre committee and members Len Fairclough & Alf Roberts have to warn Ena that unless she toes the line at the centre, her job is at risk. Despite a number of incidents, the worst one being after the new colour televison set was stolen after she fell asleep & left the main door unlocked, Ena manages to keep her post. In December 1973, Ena was sacked after disappearing with the centre keys, and the children's Christmas party could not be held. She is given a months notice & asked to leave the flat by Emily & Ernest Bishop, who are later snubbed by the residents.

Following Ena's departure, she was replaced by Gertie Robson in March 1974, who was more suited to the hard work. She was well liked by the residents, and took in her football playing nephew, Gary Turner a short time later. After finding the work at the centre too much, and after impressing Annie Walker at the Rovers Return with her cleaning skills, Gertie prepares to leave her job and take on a new role as Annie's housekeeper. She is later poached by rival pub The Flying Horse, and leaves the centre in July 1974. Stan & Hilda Ogden are offered the post as caretaker, but are let down by the record with Health & Safety, much to Hilda's dismay. .

Ena Sharples returns to the centre flat in October 1975, when Alf Roberts offers her the flat, with the understanding she will do minor work at the centre, and cleaners will be employed. Apart from a few breaks staying with her grandson in Hartlepool, Ena enjoys retirement for the next few years.

In February 1980, Ena is told that the centre is to be modernised and she will need to find alternative accomodation for the time being. She was annoyed that nobody will give her a room, and is grateful when Elsie Tanner takes her in. She stays with Elsie for a few days before going to stay with old friend Henry Foster in St Annes. Upon her return in March, she is angered that the flat is still not finished, and lodges at No 1 with Albert Tatlock & Ken Barlow. She eventually decided to leave for St Annes, and left Coronation Street for the last time.

In September 1981, newlyweds Fred & Eunice Gee are taken on as the new caretakers & move into the flat. Eunice does the majority of the work, while husband Fred still keeps his shift as barman/potman at The Rovers Return. Eunice's daughter Debbie Nuttall joins them later. Councillor Ben Critchley is angry at complaints made about the couple, and urges Alf Roberts to fire them. After taking a shine to Eunice, Critchley offers her & Fred jobs at his hotel. Eunice accepts and leaves the flat, and her husband to be with Critchley. Fred returns to his room at the pub and a new caretaker is taken on.

Old soldier Percy Sugden took the post as caretaker in August 1983. He brought a military bearing to his new job, as he worked out rotas and guarded the ping pong bats until they were issued from his lock-up. He also ran a local Home Watch group & started a dance formation troupe, "The Percy Sugden Formation Dancers". In May 1988, after reaching the age of 65, Percy is told by the council he must give up the post, and despite barricading himself inside the flat, he eventually relents, and leaves. He later moves across the street to lodge with Emily Bishop at No 3.

After the sale of the centre to Maurice Jones in September 1989, along with the centre, the flat is demolished by the bulldozers. On the day of the demolition, former caretaker Percy hands his set of keys to Maurice, who tosses them into the rubble.