A new piece of street art that resembles the work of Banksy has appeared overnight on the side wall of a pub in Stockport.
And the landlords have no idea how it got there.
The mural – which has appeared on the side of The Griffin Hotel in Heaton Mersey – features a young boy painted in black and white flying a bright yellow kite with an acid house-style face but with sad expression.
Given that the style of the mural is so instinctive, no artist name has been left, and it appeared to have been done overnight and unveiled this past Sunday morning, local residents believe that it could be a genuine Banksy work.
Taking to Facebook to share a picture of the artwork and to question whether anyone has any information on who the artist may be, The Griffin Hotel said: “Woke up this morning and found this on the wall at side of the pub.
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“Anyone got any ideas who dunnit? Would love to know, but i really like it.”
Other photos of the artwork snapped by locals were also shared to social media yesterday, with hundreds particularly giving their two cents in the comments section of a post shared by community page Stop in Stockport – who questioned “is there a Banksy in Stockport?”.
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The mural appeared on the side of The Griffin Hotel in Heaton Mersey on Sunday morning / Credit: Joseph Holt
One local resident also told ITV Granada: “Some neighbours said that it was done professionally in the sense that it was done behind some screens.
“I think it was done in the early hours of this morning and people said they heard work taking place then.
“It looks like [a real Banksy].
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“As you can see from the photo, it’s quite well done – it’s not graffiti, let’s put it that way.”
Despite being one of the country’s most well-known street artists – with most of his murals having previously been painted in south of England locations like London, Brighton, and Bristol – Banksy’s identity still remains top secret.
Local residents believe that it could be a genuine Banksy work / Credit: Facebook (Griffin Hotel)
Danny Chambers – the landlord of The Griffin Hotel – assured ITV Granada said he did not know anything about the artwork until he arrived at the pub yesterday morning, adding: “People have been talking about it and asking questions about it, but I don’t know anything about it so I’ve not really had any answers.”
But, despite local speculations of it being a genuine Banksy, the mastermind behind the surprise mural has been narrowed down as a Salford-based artist known as Mr Eggs.
Iconic Manc movie 24 Hour Party People is set to return to cinemas for its anniversary
Emily Sergeant
One of Manchester’s most iconic movies is set to return to the big screen next month.
Remastered in 4K and returning to UK cinemas to mark 24 years since its original release, Michael Winterbottom’s 2002 biographical comedy drama film, 24 Hour Party People, tells the story of Manchester‘s popular music community from 1976 to 1992 – specifically about Factory Records‘ founder Tony Wilson.
The film begins with the punk rock era of the late 1970s, before moving through the 1980s into the rave and DJ culture, and of course, the ‘Madchester‘ scene of the late 1980s and early 1990s.
The narrative largely follows the career of Tony Wilson, played by Middleton-born actor Steve Coogan, while also covering the careers of the major Factory Records artists – especially Joy Division and New Order, as well as A Certain Ratio, The Durutti Column, and Happy Mondays.
If you haven’t seen 24 Hour Party People before, it’s a dramatisation based on a combination of real events, rumours, and urban legends, as the film is sure to make clear.
Coogan is joined by a cast by a mixture of big names and, at the time, rising stars like Paddy Considine, Shirley Henderson, Lennie James, John Simm, Ralf Little, Andy Serkis, Sean Harris, John Thomson, and even Peter Kay, alongside cameos from other figures connected to the Manchester music scene.
Before it returns to cinemas, the film will first open music and media festival/conference, Beyond The Music, at MediaCity in Salford on 6 October.
The screening at the festival will also be followed by a Q&A with Coogan, Winterbottom, and producer Andrew Eaton.
24 Hour Party People will then be re-released in UK cinemas from 9 October, and you can check your local cinema for screening times and book tickets online now.
Featured Image – Altitude
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Bury actress Kate O’Flynn wins big at 2026 Emmys with record-breaking comedy show
Emily Sergeant
Did you know that one of the big winners at the 2026 Emmy Awards last night was actually an actress from Bury?
In case it wasn’t on your radar, American television‘s biggest night, the Emmys, took place yesterday evening over in Los Angeles, and several records were broken in the process – including Apple TV’s comedy horror Widow’s Bay taking home the most Emmys ever for a single series of a comedy show, with 14 of them.
Widow’s Bay tells the story of mayor Tom Loftis, played by Welsh actor Matthew Rhys, who is trying to boost tourism on his rugged New England island, but must navigate several strange events that suggest it might be cursed.
Created by Katie Dippold, and executive produced and directed by Hiro Murai, Widow’s Bay was released in late April to widespread critical acclaim.
At the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards last night, the show scooped a record 14 awards, including for Outstanding Comedy Series, several acting wins, and wins for directing and writing too.
One of those acting wins was Kate O’Flynn for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series – an actress who hails from the Greater Manchester town of Bury.
Kate stars as Patricia Moyer, mayor Tom’s eccentric assistant in the show.
She grew up in Holcombe Brook near Ramsbottom, and was educated at Bury Grammar School, before she went on to train at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Acting in 2006.
Taking to the stage to accept her award last night, Kate said in her speech: “I want to thank our mayor [Matthew Rhys] and all the residents of Widow’s Bay, in front and behind the camera – you’re amazing. This is the role of a lifetime, thank you Katie and Hiro for trusting a Lancashire lass to play a sassy broad like Patricia. And thank you Apple [TV] for saying yes.
“Thank you Nicky and Tony for looking after me, my family back home, my mum and dad, and the loves of my life, my husband and our darling daughter – another sassy broad in the making.
Emily Sergeant -
11th October 2021 
