Her real name was Patricia Frederica Manfield, better known as Pat Phoenix.

But to her adoring fans in South Tyneside, she was Elsie Tanner, the character from Corrie who was known as ‘the siren of the street’ in the 1960s.

Actress Pat Phoenix, who played Elsie Tanner in Coronation Street, cuts the tape to officially open Top Clothing Store in King Street. | img

placeholder image — Actress Pat Phoenix, who played Elsie Tanner in Coronation Street, cuts the tape to officially open Top Clothing Store in King Street. | img

And when Pat, aka Elsie, came to South Shields in 1964, chants of ‘Elsie, Elsie!’ rang out across the town centre.

The Shields Gazette was there to report on the VIP visitor who was in town to officially open the new Tops clothing store.

The advert which promoted 'Elsie's' arrival in South Street in 1964 where she was to open the Tops clothing store. | other 3rd party

The opening of Tops was big news. It was the first clothing supermarket in South Shields and operated a help-yourself service. The store was a subsidiary of Leeds-based firm PS and J Ellis.

Even bigger news was Pat’s arrival. Our report at the time said: “Screams of of "Elsie! Elsie!" echoed up and down King Street in South Shields.

Albert Finney, pictured in the 1960s, was headlining in Night Must Fall at the ABC in South Shields in 1984.
(Photo by John Pratt/Keystone Features/Hulton Archive/Getty Images) — Albert Finney, pictured in the 1960s, was headlining in Night Must Fall at the ABC in South Shields in 1984. (Photo by John Pratt/Keystone Features/Hulton Archive/Getty Images) | Getty Images

“Thousands thronged Russell Street and King Street, and police had to hold back the crowd as it surged forward when Miss Phoenix arrived.

“After she had cut a red tape stretched across the doorway, a bouquet was presented by 10-year-old Susan Peel, daughter of the store manager.”

Maybe you were there and have memories of the great day. Perhaps you even got to speak to the star of the cobbles. Get in touch if you did.

Crowds in College Drive waiting for the arrival of the Duke of Edinburgh to officially open the South Shields Marine and Technical College in March 1964. | Local Library

To give you a reminder of what else was in the news, all this was featured;

The ABC in South Shields was showing a film called Night Must Fall starring Albert Finney and there were three showings a day at 1.50pm, 5.20pm and 8.55pm. The supporting picture was Two Are Guilty with Anthony Perkins in the line-up.

The Regent cinema was showing the classic movie Great Escape starring Steve McQueen and James Garner among others.

Metcalfe’s in Laygate opened its doors in this year, selling wallpaper, paints, and often at ‘greatly reduced prices’.

And the Duke of Edinburgh officially opened the new £1m South Shields Marine and Technical College back in 1964.

In sport, tickets were on sale for the forthcoming sixth round FA Cup replay between Sunderland and Manchester United, to be played on March 9 at Huddersfield.

Share your own memories of South Tyneside in 1964 by emailing [email protected]