Storylines of Coronation Street bar area, the Select, and the Snug into one larger bar making the interior set match the size of the outdoor set more closely. It has stayed the same layout ever since, but its wallpaper and fittings were updated in 2008. In 2002-03, "Coronation Street" featured storyline of Richard Hillman (Brian Capron), who entered as a relative of the late Alma Halliwell (Amanda Barrie). Initially the character was seen offering financial advice to residents and buying the house of Emily Bishop (Eileen Derbyshire), in an arrangement where she would have the right to live in it for her lifetime, but
The Road to Coronation Street the character of Annie Walker, and Lynda Baron played the role of Violet Carson, who played one of "Coronation Street"s most iconic characters, Ena Sharples. John Thomson and Michelle Holmes, who had previously been members of the Coronation Street cast, appeared as H.V. Kershaw and Harry Elton's secretary respectively. The drama achieved a peak of 852,000 viewers on its first transmission, making it the second most popular programme in BBC Four's history, behind 2008's "The Curse of Steptoe" at 1.41m viewers. Sam Wollaston, a critic for "The Guardian", gave a positive review, stating ""The Road to Coronation Street" is fond,