Roy's Rolls signs added to the Rovers Return facade
12 Rosamund Street is a business unit on Rosamund Street which was the former premises for Roy's Rolls prior to its move to 16 Victoria Street in 1999. The flat above the shop was occupied throughout the time that Jim's Cafe and Roy's Rolls operated from the site.
Several businesses operated from the site over time:
- Dawson's Cafe from 1978 to 1980
- Jim's Cafe from 1980 to 1998
- Roy's Rolls from 1998 to 1999
- An unnamed bike shop from 1999 onwards
When seen in 1988, the shop front was represented by a now demolished building on the corner of Liverpool Street and Langton Street in the Langworthy area of Salford. When seen in 1990, the exterior of Tucker's Cafe at 509 Liverpool Street represented the building. During 1991 and 1993 appearances, the shop front was only seen side-on, now filmed further down the road at 485 Liverpool Street. During 1994 appearances, the former La Contadina Italian restaurant at 30 Whittaker Lane, Prestwich (now the Bombay Cuisine Indian takeaway) was used to represent 12 Rosamund Street. On it's final appearance in 1998, signs were added to the Rovers Return facade on the Quay Street set.
Dawson's Cafe[]
Opened in August 1978 by Joe Dawson and installing Emily Bishop as manageress, it was here that Ray Langton first met waitress Janice Stubbs who he would later embark on an affair with. Gail Potter later took her position shortly before the business was sold.
Jim's Cafe[]
Jim Sedgewick bought the shop from Joe Dawson in January 1980, transforming it into a transport cafe, taking advantage of the passing lorry trade and the new car park that had opened up on nearby Canal Street. Emily Bishop left soon afterwards, and Elsie Tanner was employed to tackle the more difficult customers. Jim's wife Alma won the cafe in their divorce settlement in 1982, though she sold part of the company to Gail and didn't start working there herself until 1989. Student Martin Platt was taken on in 1985, and it was from here that his relationship with Gail blossomed. In the summer of 1997, Alma sold her majority share of the business, and the flat above, to Roy Cropper for £35,000.
Roy's Rolls[]
The following year, Gail sold her share to Roy and the business was renamed Roy's Rolls. In early 1999, Roy sold the premises to a bike shop, and moved the cafe to a new unit on nearby Victoria Street, where it remains to this day.