One of the most incredible settings for Netflix’s recent thriller series Stay Close was an enormous sculpture of a head.
It’s where a huge chunk of the action takes place, with the interior of the statue used as a secret meeting place.
Ever since the addictive series dropped on New Year’s Eve, visitors have been desperate to go and see the 20 metre-tall attraction in the flesh.
The good news for us is that the striking monument isn’t far from Greater Manchester.
Dream in St Helen’s. Credit: Visit Liverpool
In fact, depending on which part of the region you live in, you could be there in less than half an hour.
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The sculpture, called Dream, stands just off the M62 in St Helen’s, and you can actually see its massive head peeping out above the tree line.
Dream was commissioned by St Helen’s Council and a community of former miners, who wanted something that marked the area’s coal-mining history but looked forward to the area’s future.
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Dream in Stay Close on Netflix. Credit: Netflix UK
The end result was a 500-tonne figure of a young girl, whose eyes appear to be closed in a meditative state.
The sculpture is coated in brilliant white dolomite, chosen to contrast with the coal that was once mined from this very plot.
Dream stands on the site of the former Sutton Manor Colliery, a huge coal pit that closed down in 1991.
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We're not sure what we thought was inside #Dream's head but it wasn't this 🤯🤣
Anyone else watching Stay Close on Netflix? #StHelens' world-renowned sculpture makes plenty of appearances.
If you're inspired to go up to visit her, please take your litter home with you 👍 pic.twitter.com/EYfv2nmNt2
The public art piece by Jaume Plensa cost around £1.8m to build.
It’s had a resurgence in popularity since Stay Close aired though – Bold Parish Councillor Chris Hughes told the Manchester Evening News: “We have had a massive increase in numbers since The Dream has been on Stay Close.
“We don’t normally see this amount of visitors at this time of year, since the start of January it’s been so busy.
“We knew there had been filming up there but I don’t think any of us expected it to have quite this impact.”
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You can visit by parking up at the Dream car park just off Jubits Lane – though it is a small parking area.
You can then walk a circular route around the park that’s around a mile long. Perfect for an easy mid-winter stroll.
Featured image: Netflix UK
Things To Do
An adorable new Jellycat store has just opened in Manchester
Daisy Jackson
The world’s most adorable brand has launched a big new opening in Manchester just in time for Christmas – welcome to the Jellycat General Store.
The viral stuffed toy brand has created a charming traditional corner shop experience, where every shelf is stocked with all your essentials in cuddly toy form.
From squishy toilet rolls to smiling eggs to bunches of flowers, and ranging from pint-sized keyrings to giant plushies, there’s a Jellycat for everyone here.
They’re even arranged much like a supermarket would be, with an aisle full of fruit and vegetable-shaped toys and another of sports equipment and games.
Though first famed for its soft bunny toys and its signature black cats, Jellycat has hugely diversified its range in recent years and now you can get plushies in every shape and size imaginable.
It’s created something of a cult following for the toys, which appeal to all ages.
With this new Manchester store within Selfridges, Jellycat has taking inspiration from nostalgic shopping experiences, down to building window displays of retro tins and adding a striped awning over the entrance.
There’s even a blue bench outside where you can take photos with a giant Jellycat character.
The new shop within Selfridges at the Trafford Centre follows successful openings in Birmingham and others across Europe.
Vicki Cain, store director at Selfridges Manchester Trafford, said: “We’re delighted to welcome the new Jellycat General Store to Selfridges Trafford.
“It’s a fun destination for customers to explore the Jellycat collection, with so many fabulous creations to choose from. Who could resist cuddling up to one of the giant Jellies?
“Our customers are huge fans of Jellycat, so this new opening is perfectly timed for those starting their Christmas shopping.”
The Jellycat General Store is open now at Selfridges at the Trafford Centre in Manchester.
Inside the Jellycat General Store in Manchester
The viral toilet roll Jellycat toyAisles at the Jellycat General Store are arranged by themeSeasonal Jellycat toys at the new Manchester shopJellycat’s signature black catsThe Jellycat toys at the new Manchester shop come in all shapes and sizesAn adorable gherkinJellycat flowersThe nostalgic Jellycat General Store in ManchesterCredit: The Manc Group
Paul McCartney at Co-op Live, Manchester – tickets, times, setlist, and more for tour
Thomas Melia
Paul McCartney is making Christmas come early for Manchester this weekend, bringing his two night tour to Co-op Live this weekend.
The 82-year-old The Beatles hitmaker and overall music icon is gracing the 23,500 capacity live music venue and hoping to impress the crowds of Manchester for what is set to be two of the most remarkable nights of the year.
This incredible Got Back tour will be one to remember, especially when the rocker hasn’t visited our booming city since 2011 – those 14 years without the musical legend are finally coming to an end.
Paul McCartney, The Beatles legend, Wings frontman and songwriting veteran is one of the most important musicians in history with a wealth of solo material to his name.
His most recent release was a collaborative album with Wings titled ‘One Hand Clapping’ which dropped in June this year, but the songs on it all date back to 1974.
The living legend is performing at the biggest indoor entertainment venue right here in Manchester this weekend – here’s everything you need to know.
Paul McCartney UK tour dates
Sat 15 December – Manchester, UK – Co-op Live
Sat 16 December – Manchester, UK – Co-op Live
Wed 18 December – London, UK – The O2
Thu 19 December – London, UK – The O2
Paul McCartney tickets for Co-op Live gig
Paul McCartney will play in Manchester this weekend. Credit: MPL Communications – photographer MJ Kim
Tickets for both shows are still available on Ticketmaster, who are the official ticket seller for the Saturday and Sunday Manchester shows.
Prices are varied due to most tickets now being resell or VIP packages, seats at the Sunday concert start at £182.95.
There’s also the opportunity to find some quick-fix tickets on fan reselling sites like Twickets but if you’re after for some last minute tickets you can try on Ticketmaster HERE.
Paul McCartney setlist
Paul McCartney is known for packing lots of songs from throughout his discography into his tours around the world, so it’s no surprise that Manchester will be hearing all the bangers.
The UK music pioneer has shaken up his playlist a few times but the below is from his most recent show.
A Hard Day’s Night Junior’s Farm Letting Go Drive My Car Got to Get You Into My Life Come On to Me Let Me Roll It Getting Better Let ‘Em In My Valentine Nineteen Hundred and Eighty-Five Maybe I’m Amazed I’ve Just Seen a Face In Spite of All the Danger Love Me Do Dance Tonight Blackbird Here Today Now and Then Lady Madonna Jet Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite! Something Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da Band on the Run Get Back Let It Be Live and Let Die Hey Jude Encore: I’ve Got a Feeling Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (Reprise) Helter Skelter Golden Slumbers Carry That Weight The End
What are the stage times for Paul McCartney in Manchester?
Paul McCartney will play in Manchester this weekend. Credit: MPL Communications – photographer MJ Kim
Co-op Live has a strict curfew of 11pm meaning concertgoers can be safe knowing they won’t be pulling an all nighter to hear all the legend’s biggest tunes.
Doors will open at 6.30pm, and although the venue hasn’t yet confirmed stage times it’s expected that Paul McCartney will take to the stage in Manchester around 8.30pm.
The Manchester Derby
On the same night at Paul McCartney’s second gig, there’s also a Manchester derby – United and City will face off just across the road from Co-op Live at the Etihad Stadium.
There’ll be a lot of footfall to the campus and increased demand on local roads and public transport.
Man City vs Man United will kick off at 4.30pm, doors to the Co-op Live will open at 6.30pm, and the football will end around 6.35pm.
The venue has advised: “For the best experience, we advise to use public transport and arrive between 17:30 and 18:30.
“Co-op Live is located on the Etihad Campus in East Manchester and you can take multiple different modes of transport to the arena. Check out our dedicated page for all your travel questions.”
How to get to Co-op Live
Tram
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For those of you heading to Co-op Live, luckily it’s right next door to a rather famous big blue stadium and its integrated Metrolink stop.
Head along the light blue or orange lines directly to the Etihad Campus or Ashton-under-Lyne and you can get off the tram literally spitting distance from the arena. You can find the full map HERE.
Trams run frequently on the Ashton-Eccles line to the Etihad stop, with services leaving every six minutes from the city centre and until 01:00 on Fridays and Saturdays.
Bus
If you want to take another new and improved arm of Manchester’s public transport system, not only is there a whole host of routes that drop you off close to the venue but there’ll also be a free shuttle bus from the city centre to and from events between 20 April-30 June 2024.
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You can find the full list of bus routes HERE, with the one in closest proximity to the venue being the 53 bus which runs from Cheetham Hill through to Higher Crumpsall, Old Trafford and Pendleton, leaving just a two-minute walk to Co-op Live. You also get free Bee Network travel with any valid event ticket.
Getting there by car and parking
If you’re driving, there is limited parking available at the venue but this must be pre-booked ahead of time and there are designated drop-off areas.
The postcode is M11 3DU and you can follow the signs towards the wider Etihad Campus as you get closer; directions to the adjacent drop-off points will also be signposted.
Keep in mind that congestion on the roads close to the stadium is expected to gather around two hours prior to any event, so if you are travelling on the road, these are the suggested times they provide come event day – though estimates will obviously vary:
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Alan Turing Way (both directions): plan an additional 20 minutes into any journey by road.
Hyde Road (eastbound): expect an additional 15 minutes to be added to your journey.
Mancunian Way (westbound): plan for an extra 10 minutes of travel time.
There are also three park-and-ride facilities near Co-op Live but be advised that the Velopark and Holt Town stops will be closed post-event to help safely manage crowds:
Ashton West (Ashton line) – 184 spaces and 11 disabled spaces
Ladywell (Ashton-Eccles line) – 332 spaces and 22 disabled spaces
Walk/cycle
Lastly, Co-op Live is only a half-hour stroll from Manchester Piccadilly and you could even walk along the canal all the way to the front door if you fancy taking the scenic route.
Greater Manchester now also offers the option to hire bikes through the Beryl, with riders able to locate, unlock, get to their destination and then safely lock up the boke all through an easy-to-use app. There are hire points just near the south-west corner of the Etihad Stadium on Ashton New Road.
For more information on all travel options, you can check out the enhanced journey planner.
Daisy Jackson -
14th January 2022 
