Community Centre flat The Community Centre flat , along with the centre itself , was a one - bedroomed flat which was included at the front of the building , directly opposite the Corner Shop , and had the postal address of 16 Coronation Street ( although in episodes shown in July 1978 , the flat had the address 12 Coronation Street ) . A door from the flat led into the centre , and was intended as the caretaker ' s accommodation . 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 Crossley impressed the centre committee with members Len Fairclough and Alf Roberts having to warn Ena that unless she toed the line at the centre , her job was at risk . Despite a number of incidents , the worst one being a break - in at the centre in February 1972 when the new colour television set was stolen after Ena had fallen asleep and left the main door unlocked . Ena managed to keep her post , although Albert Tatlock was appointed assistant caretaker . Ena suffered from health problems and suffered a heart attack in October 1973 , collapsing in the Snug at the Rovers Return Inn . In December 1973 , Ena was sacked after disappearing with the centre keys , and the children ' s Christmas party could not be held . She was given a month ' s notice and asked to leave the flat by Ernest and Emily Bishop , who were later snubbed by the residents . Following Ena ' s departure , she was replaced in March 1974 by Gertie Robson , 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 prepared to leave her job and take on a new role as Annie ' s housekeeper . She was later poached by rival pub The Flying Horse , and left the centre in July 1974 . Stan and Hilda Ogden were offered the post as caretaker , but were let down by the record with Health and Safety , much to Hilda ' s dismay . Ena Sharples returned to the centre flat in October 1975 , when Alf Roberts offered her the flat , on the understanding she would do minor work at the centre , and cleaners would be employed . Apart from a few breaks staying with her grandson in Hartlepool , Ena enjoyed retirement for the next few years . In February 1980 , Ena was told that the centre was to be modernised and she would need to find alternative accommodation for the time being . She was annoyed that nobody would give her a room , and was grateful when Elsie Tanner took her in . She stayed with Elsie for a few days before going to stay with old friend Henry Foster in St . Anne ' s . Upon her return in March , she was angered that the flat was still not finished , and lodged at No . 1 with Albert Tatlock and Ken Barlow . She eventually decided to leave for St . Anne ' s , and left Coronation Street for the last time . In September 1981 , newlyweds Fred and Eunice Gee were taken on as the new caretakers and moved into the flat . Eunice did the majority of the work , while husband Fred still kept his shifts as barman / potman at the Rovers Return . Eunice ' s daughter Debbie Nuttall joined them later . Councillor Ben Critchley was is angry at complaints made about the couple , and urged Alf Roberts to fire them . After taking a shine to Eunice , Critchley offered her and Fred jobs at his hotel . Eunice accepted and left the flat and her husband in order to be with Critchley . Fred returned to his room at the pub and a new caretaker was 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 and started a dance formation troupe , " The Percy Sugden Formation Dancers " . In May 1988 , after reaching the age of sixty - five , Percy was told by the council that he must give up the post , and despite barricading himself inside the flat , he eventually relented , and left . He later moved 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 was demolished by the bulldozers . On the day of the demolition , former caretaker Percy handed his set of keys to Maurice , who tossed them into the rubble .