[WillPS]

According to this, Phil Redmond himself was actually blocking the repeats of the early Brookside episodes until recently because of the early technical issues, but was persuaded to allow it by the relatives of some deceased cast members:

www.liverpoolecho.co.uk 

I call BS. The first episode has been available for 15 years on and off on 4OD and its successors, as well as a DVD release.

The episodes were all aired on UK LIving in the 90s too.

I can well believe it's just been sat on the shelf until some enterprising STV commissioner made some calls. In any case, why would Redmond be the point of contact for such a deal? He sold the production company off years ago.