Pop royalty walks among us the one and only Sophie Ellis-Bextor was recently spotted filming a new video smack bang in the middle of Stockport town centre.
The early 2000s hit-maker and veteran of the charts has been going through somewhat of a renaissance over the past year or so, now finding herself back in the mainstream consciousness, playing some huge festival slots up and down the UK and rightly reminding everyone what an icon she is.
In truth, this comeback is at least somewhat in part down to her ultimate classic, ‘Murder on the Dancefloor’, being featured in that scene from the 2023 film Saltburn, but we couldn’t care one bit as to how and why it happened – we’re just glad to have her back and, apparently, so close to home.
As recorded by Stockport local Brian Howell last week, Sophie Ellis-Bextor was being filmed walking through a set located in the Greater Manchester borough’s historic ‘Old Town’ district and right past the recognisable market hall.
‘Murder on the Market Floor’? ‘Get Over You and Underbank‘?
ADVERTISEMENT
That’s precisely two more Sophie Ellis-Bextor meets Stockport-based puns than we ever thought we’d get to utter out loud, to be honest, so we’re pretty happy with ourselves.
While local outlet Stop in Stockport reported that the filming looked to be for a new music video and the 45-year-old is working on a new album set to drop later this year – which will be her seventh studio outing following 2023’s HANA – there have been no hints as to when we might expect a first tease.
ADVERTISEMENT
Alternatively, as many people were left speculating in the comments, Ellis-Bextor has been involved in a number of campaigns with brands like Marks and Spencer and LG in recent years, so it could just as easily be for an advert or some other kind of commercial shoot.
Who knows, maybe it’s a collab? ‘This isn’t just any music video, this is an M&S music video…’
Only time will tell whether or not the next era of Sophie Ellis-Bextor tunes is going to kick off with a random music video filmed in Stockport but we’re just honoured to have been graced with her presence, even if only by proximity.
ADVERTISEMENT
Either way, we are very much enjoying Americans suddenly discovering ‘Murder on the Dancefloor’ more than two decades later and finding out how much of a banger it is – long may it continue.
It’s also not the only thing of note that’s been filmed around SK recently.
The White Hotel is a go-to haunt for Mancs seeking a late-night (or indeed, all-night) dance, with a packed programme of music running year-round.
The independent arts venue opened inside a former garage in Salford, just outside Manchester city centre and in the shadow of HMP Manchester.
Not only has The White Hotel defined Greater Manchester’s modern nightlife scene, but it’s become known globally as one of the best underground nightclubs on the planet.
Known for its raw DIY atmosphere and boundary-pushing line-ups, the Salford venue up there among the UK’s most respected club spaces.
But despite ‘continuing to draw full houses’, The White Hotel will close in January, according to The Guardian.
Ben Ward told the paper that the venue has found itself in a flood-risk zone, saying: “Basically, it’s a swamp.”
He added that it was better ‘to go out on our own terms, long before we became a museum’.
When The White Hotel opened in 2015, they planned to stick around for a year, then move to LA – but now a decade on, it’s cemented itself on Manchester’s club scene.
The area where The White Hotel stands will become a wetland park.
Neither artistic director Austin Collings nor Ward are ‘sentimental about losing the premises’, The Guardian wrote, quoting Ward as saying: “It’s come as a surprise that it’s lasted this long anyway.”
Festival-goers urged to stop taking wheelie bins full of booze
Daisy Jackson
Festival-goers have been warned not to take wheelie bins full of alcohol to festivals with them this summer.
The warning has come ahead of this year’s Download Festival, which takes place next month and kicks off the summer’s biggest run of festival dates.
But a major train operator has said there have been incidents in the past of passengers trying to travel to festivals with wheelie bins and luggage trolleys.
Passengers have had to be reminded that wheelie bins are not permitted on board, and they should instead only carry as much luggage as they can comfortably carry.
The warning comes from East Midlands Railway, one of the key services that will whisk people to Download Festival between 10 and 14 June.
Customers returning from the festival are also encouraged to use boot-cleaning brushes provided at stations to help remove mud before boarding trains.
Philippa Cresswell, customer experience director at East Midlands Railway, said: “We’re encouraging customers to travel light.
“Last year, some festive goers tried to board services with wheelie bins or festival trolleys full of beer. While it might seem like a great idea for getting your supplies to the festival, it just isn’t safe or possible to bring them onboard train services.”
Festival-goers urged to stop taking wheelie bins full of booze
EMR has also warned customers to plan journeys in advance, with engineering work taking place at various locations on the Midland Main Line, near where Download Festival takes place.
She continued: “We’re advising customers travelling to Download Festival to plan their journeys in advance and be aware that essential engineering work will affect services across the weekend.
“As a result, some services will be reduced or amended, and passengers should check before they travel and allow extra time.”
Danny Jones -
6th August 2024 
