Lowe, later Captain Mainwaring in Dad's Army, was an established actor by the time of his Coronation Street casting, but it was his turn as pompous Mr. Swindley that made him a household name in the early 60s.

[2] Upon hearing of Lowe's decision to quit the series in 1965, ITV bosses offered him the chance to continue in the role as the star of a new sitcom based on his character.

The clothes store, situated on Victoria Street (now home to Roy's Rolls), originally employed Emily Nugent.

Papagopoulos re-opened the store as Gamma weeks later, deciding to keep Swindley on as manager and Emily and Doreen Lostock (Angela Crow) as his assistants.

The next year, following Arthur Lowe's decision to quit, Swindley was offered a promotion at Gamma Garments and duly accepted, leaving the Mission, and Weatherfield behind.