Over in Stockport, there’s a warehouse filled with all manner of Star Wars props – from Storm Trooper suits to Dak helmets – all created by a team of fans with a special set of skills.
Known officially as RS Propmasters, unofficially as the ‘King of Troopers’, they’ve created some incredible original Star Wars trilogy replica props for the silver screen and have had their work featured in some big Hollywood movies and at London’s V&A museum.
No strangers to the fantasy worlds of superheroes, they all met years ago in the replica prop community – a combination of painters, sculptors, mould makers and researchers.
Image: The Manc Group
That community, once comprised of secret groups and closed forums, is now very much out in the open – with the team going from fans making the cult props as a hobby, to becoming professionals in the movie prop world.
Brought together by their shared love of all the original Star Wars trilogy, they combined their passions to start creating what they saw on the screen – working from original moulds used in the 1970s.
ADVERTISEMENT
Those replicas got them noticed and, years later, the working prop studio has now worked with a large number of productions, including big studio movies.
Read more:
ADVERTISEMENT
Image: The Manc Group
Image: The Manc Group
Image: The Manc Group
Today, together the studio can make two full Storm Trooper outfits in a day with a team of six people working on it at once.
And if that wasn’t impressive enough, they also recently produced 50 replica guns over six weeks for a new Hollywood superhero film.
In total, RS makes five different Star Wars characters at its Stockport studio – and so much research goes into making these props exactly how they would have been made for the films 45 years.
ADVERTISEMENT
The studio’s SnowTroopers, for example, have a direct lineage to the original movie. These helmets are cast from an original studio-made helmet they managed to get their hands on back in 2017 – the only time this has ever been done.
Not satisfied with that, though, they even journeyed to LA to visit a private collection in order to find the most accurate cowl fabric to do the helmet justice.
Let’s just say there are no cutting corners here.
Image: The Manc Group
A community born out of fans with a shared passion, today the studio is run by a team of ten – all with their own individual skillset.
From ‘amour guy’ Pete O’Rourke, who it’s said has probably built more accurate Stormtroopers than anyone else in the world, to Becka Albrecht, who comes from a Fine Art and Humanities background and paints and weathers all the props, every single one of them has a true passion for the stories behind the props they are creating.
ADVERTISEMENT
Avid Star Wars collector Simon Windus, meanwhile, puts the ‘S’ in RS – having launched the company in its early days with his original Stormtrooper suit. As for his partner Rob McCormick, he was making props before RS was just a twinkle in their eye – but back then, it was all about Boba Fett.
So well-respected and knowledgeable are Simon and Rob, they were even invited down to the Victoria and Albert Museum in London to help create a replica suit from an original costume piece back in 2015 as part of a British Film Institute exhibit.
And they’re right here on our doorstep, making magic from original cult prop pieces dating back to the 70s.
Progressing from hobbyists to esteemed industry professionals at the top of their game, it just goes to show if you are really passionate about something you can make anything happen.
To see more of the team’s work, follow them on Instagram here.
Feature image – RS Propmasters
Art & Culture
Manchester named one of the UK’s ‘most entertaining’ cities for 2026
Emily Sergeant
A new study has named the most ‘fun and entertaining’ cities to visit in the UK in 2026, and it’s good news for the north.
While a new year often brings with it a renewed urge to want to jet off on holiday, it can also make us eager to see what our own country has to offer by booking a little staycation to experience somewhere new right on our doorstep.
But which cities should we be heading to for a good time?
If you’re looking for adventure and excitement out of your staycation, then travel experts at Braw Scottish Tours set out to find the most fun places in the country by analysing 50 cities and towns across the UK to uncover where visitors are most ‘spoiled for choice’ in 2026.
Whether you’re planning a weekend break or a longer city escape, the right destination can make all the difference, especially if you’re looking for a mix of nightlife, outdoor space, and good value for money.
Manchester has been named one of the most entertaining cities in the UK / Alex Bracken (via Unsplash) | The Manc Group | MCR Art Fair
The study looked at 17 key factors across three main areas – entertainment and nightlife, recreation and outdoor activities, and lifestyle and amenities.
Everything from pubs and live music venues, to parks and the cost of a pint or movie ticket were analysed, because according to the travel experts, the best cities don’t just offer fun, they make it easy and affordable to enjoy.
The north has taken the top spot on the list, as Newcastle has been named the UK’s most fun and entertaining city to visit in 2026.
Other northern cities in the top 20 include Leeds, Blackpool, Bradford, and Hull… oh, and Manchester, of course, as our city has claimed a very respectable third place on the list and even ranked first for live music venues, entertainment events, and gyms per capita, which highlights we’re a city that is as active as we are lively.
Top 10 most entertaining cities to visit in the UK
Newcastle
Westminster
Manchester
Norwich
Belfast
Aberdeen
Southampton
Glasgow
Plymouth
Oxford
Overall, Manchester racked up a score of 56.85, cementing its reputation as one of the UK’s leading cultural cities.
Manchester was also praised for its food and retail scene, placing third for restaurants and fifth for shopping centres, and although the average cinema ticket costs around £10, the city was found to balance this out with a wide range of free events, festivals, and accessible green spaces.
Elsewhere in the top 10 list, outside of the north, you’ll find other major cities like London, Belfast, Glasgow, and Oxford.
Edinburgh and Cardiff find themselves in the top 20, but do miss out on the top 10.
Featured Image – Manchester City Council
Art & Culture
A much-loved Manc grassroots venue is hosting a live screening of The Traitors final
Danny Jones
A beloved grassroots venue here in Manchester city centre is holding a big screening of this year’s The Traitors final.
Consider already there with bells, whistles and a big hood on.
Yes, following the return of The Traitors mainline show this month, not to mention even more versions of the show landing on the BBC in 2026, we’re expecting record-breaking numbers of viewers for this year’s highly anticipated ‘Grand Final’.
With that in mind, Manc favourite arts and entertainment venue, Fairfield Social Club (FSC), will be playing The Traitors season four final on the big screen.
You do not want to miss this, and we don’t just mean the episode: we’re talking about the unparalleled and often unhinged vibes at Fairfield.
Having been to plenty of live events at FSC over the past 18 months or so, from live viewing parties and It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia quizzes to nights out with other social clubs and community organisations, we can personally vouch for their hosting chops.
As for this particular watchalong, they’ve promised they’re “going all in for The Traitors Finale 2026, live on the FSC big screen with a full crowd, big reactions and plenty of drama.”
With the team set to deliver a full pre-show Traitors quiz with plenty of prizes up for grabs, and even free drinks for anyone who turns up in a cloak or top-notch Claudia Winkleman fancy dress, there are so many reasons to make this gaff the place you choose as your venue for the final.
We’ll also be making sure to attend their upcoming Lily Allen line-dancing show, because we’re still obsessed with West End Girl.
Like with The Traitors final, don’t worry, they’ve done this dance MANY times before.
Honestly, this place never disappoints when it comes to variety or enjoyment.
As if any of the above wasn’t already convincing enough for you, tickets are just a fiver, and they also include a welcome drink. Doors will open 6pm, and seating plans are simply first-come first first-served.
Not only is that a great deal across the board, but it’s also probably one of the cheapest drinks you’ll find in town these days…
If you fancy joining in the chaos and inevitable chorus of gasps when the Grand Final goes live, you can grab your tickets for the conclusion of this season’s Traitors at Fairfield Social Club right HERE – and we promise you that it will sell out fast.
Georgina Pellant -
25th March 2022 
