Stay Close, Netflix’s newest crime drama which has rocketed to the top of its most-watched list, was filmed all over the north west.
A huge chunk of the hit series was filmed around Manchester and its boroughs, with some familiar landmarks cropping up throughout.
Starring James Nesbitt, Cush Jumbo and Eddie Izzard, Stay Close was released on New Year’s Eve on the streaming platform.
Its gripping plot follows four people, each concealing dark secrets from those closest to them.
The series is based on Harlan Coben’s book of the same name – the author was also behind Netflix smash hit The Stranger.
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And much like The Stranger, a lot of the filming locations in Stay Close are right here on our doorstep.
Impossible
Impossible bar in Stay Close. Credit: Netflix UK
There are a lot of dark happenings afoot at Vipers, the nightclub at the centre of much of Stay Close’s plot.
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While the outside scenes were all filmed in Formby, the majority of the action takes place inside.
And it’s a bit closer to home – Netflix crews used Impossible bar on Peter Street to film all this, including the above scene with Michael Broome (James Nesbitt) and Lorraine Griggs (Sarah Parish).
The Refuge
The Refuge in Stay Close. Credit: Netflix UK
In the very first episode of Stay Close, we see lead character Megan (Cush Jumbo) heading out on her hen do.
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The bride-to-be and her pals were actually gathered in The Refuge, the huge Manchester bar that’s part of the Kimpton Clocktower hotel building.
It’s a pretty striking venue and an easy one to spot.
The Stoller Hall
The Stoller Hall in Stay Close. Credit: Netflix UK
One of Manchester’s most striking concert venues – and also one of its most-recognisable – is The Stoller Hall.
The concert hall is part of the Chetham’s School of Music, close to Manchester Victoria train station.
In Stay Close, it was used in a scene where copper Brian (Jack Shalloo) watches his daughter play piano.
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Ashton-under-Lyne
Credit: Netflix UK
Parts of Stay Close are set in a shop called Hannibal’s Animals – which was given a makeover for filming.
The unit is actually in Ashton-under-Lyne, on the corner of Stamford Street Central and Warrington Street.
In real life, the Tameside retail unit is a carpet shop.
Arley Hall
Arley Hall in Stay Close. Credit: Netflix UK
In the final episode, we finally get to see the wedding of Megan and Dave.
Netflix chose the magnificent Arley Hall in Cheshire to film the big day.
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The familiar building was also used in Peaky Blinders, where it doubled up as Tommy Shelby’s house.
The Edwardian Manchester
The Edwardian Manchester hotel in Stay Close. Credit: Netflix UK
Dave is led blind-folded through a rather familiar hotel lobby on the day of his stag do in Stay Close.
Eagle-eyed viewers may recognise the modern space as the entryway for The Edwardian Manchester, a Radisson Collection hotel on Peter Street.
The Drill Hall in Bury
The Castle Armoury Drill Hall in Bury in Stay Close. Credit: Netflix UK
The Grade II-listed Castle Armoury Drill Hall in Bury was also used by Netflix crews for Stay Close.
The historic military building was turned into Fourways Prison in several episodes of the hit series.
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The Feathers
Credit: Netflix UK
Back to Tameside again – and this time to a local boozer.
Film crews will often change the appearance of a business for TV, but The Feathers appears completely unchanged in Stay Close.
The pub is on Stamford Street Central in Ashton-under-Lyne.
Didsbury village
Credit: Netflix UK
The incredible house used as Megan’s home is actually in Manchester, and a lot of the action is set here.
The property is in the leafy suburb of Didsbury, not far from Wilmslow Road.
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In the series, she lives in a massive house on Springdale Gardens.
Pokusevski
Pokusevski’s Deli in Heaton Moor in Stay Close. Credit: Netflix UK
Any brunch addicts out there will have recognised this a mile off.
One of the early Stay Close episodes was filmed inside Pokusevski’s, the popular cafe and deli in Heaton Moor.
Featured image: Netflix UK
TV & Showbiz
Coronation Street and Emmerdale set for special crossover episode
Danny Jones
Two of Britain’s most legendary TV shows are set to collide as Coronation Street and Emmerdale prepare for an unforgettable crossover.
It’s the sort of thing we’ve imagined plenty of times before, but if we’re being honest, we never actually thought it would come to fruition.
For the first time ever, the iconic Northern soaps will be teaming up to release a special crossover episode early next year.
‘Coronationdale’? ‘Emmerdale Street’? All we know is we’re excited.
Announced on Tuesday, 13 May, ITV confirmed that work on the first-ever Coronation Street and Emmerdale collaboration is now underway.
The flagship serial franchises both have huge nationwide followings in their own right, attracting more than 8 million viewers every week.
Moreover, with both Manc’s much-loved Corrie and its Yorkshire counterpart having faced financial struggles in recent months, this announcement couldn’t have come at a better time.
Writing in an official joint press release, the two shows revealed they will “join forces in an unprecedented, one-off special episode to launch the broadcaster’s new power hour of soap, which begins on ITV1 and STV in January 2026.”
The ‘power hour’ is part of the channel’s plans to readjust its approach to its regular programming laid out earlier this year, with this serving as an eye-catching way to promote the new schedule.
Put it this way, provided they keep the crossovers up North and avoid you know where, this is the kind of thing we can get behind…
Corrie characters reacting to the mere thought of heading to London 🤝 Manc parents whenever one of their kids mentions leaving 0161. 😂
The statement goes on to read: “The distinctive worlds of Emmerdale and Coronation Street will merge for one night only in a ‘mash-up’ of our two favourite communities.”
ITV believe they have come up with an “ingenious way of linking the two universes” before having them return to Greater Manchester and the Dales, respectively.
The episode will be a self-contained one-off special, but one that sees them canonically grounded in the same entertainment world forever and, you never know, if the idea is a hit then it could be the first of many to come.
As if that wasn’t enough, to make the prospect even more interesting, the producers are inviting members of the audience to choose which two characters they would like to meet and interact with in the scene – keep your eyes peeled on their social media for more information.
Coming in January 2026 (specific release date yet to be confirmed), this is not one you want to miss.
We’re also glad to see the pair of long-standing soaps and institutions of British telly have got off to a strong start this year, raking in 124 million streams on ITVX with each episode now available on the streaming platform ahead of each night’s episode.
You can expect a big viewer spike when this one goes out, that’s for sure.
Why are people queuing HOURS for these viral toys in Manchester?
Thomas Melia
A viral craze has yet again struck the internet, and this time it’s a cute plush collectible toy character even causing queues in Manchester.
In Britain it’s safe to say we are accustomed to a queue or two, but this newest line which has started forming outside a toy and collectibles shop on Market Street has puzzled a fair few Mancs.
The queues aren’t appearing from nowhere either; social media users describe how they’ve walked past the store as early as 7:30am and seen dozens of people standing outside waiting.
The culprit of these queues? An adorable collectable plush toy character that goes by the name of ‘Labubu‘.
Here’s the reason why Market Street has those insane queues.Labubu has made her way to Manchester in all her variations.Credit: Pop Mart
If your follow-up question is, “What is a Labubu?”, don’t worry because we asked exactly the same thing before we ended up nose-deep in the world of these widely popular plush toys.
Labubu is the name of the viral plush toy created by Hong Kong-born, Netherlands-raised designer Kasing Lung, who drew inspiration from his love of fairytales to make this worldwide cuddly phenomenon.
Recognised by their bunny-like ears, large eyes and big smiles (which some people find off-putting), Labubu has become a bit of an overnight superstar and shows no signs of slowing down.
The general public aren’t the only ones all over these famous fur-balls either, as celebs and stars alike have been attaching them to their handbags and sporting them like a prized possession.
And these are some pretty big names too, everyone from global superstar Rihanna to pop princess Dua Lipa have been pictured with a variation of Labubu dangling from their handbag.
People don’t just want to buy these viral toys as they are, part of the reason people are so obsessed with Labubu is the surprise element as you’ll find thousands of unboxing videos online.
Avid TikTok users will come across plenty of unboxing style videos, where collectors predict which colour or variation of the viral toy they will get before inevitably find out for themselves.
Previous Love Island contestant, reality TV star and model Olivia Attwood has got involved in this current Labubu trend, making lots of videos on social media expressing her love towards these plush collectables.
Attwood has become an unofficial mascot for Labubu through her various videos on social media, where she either unboxes or makes reference to these ‘monsters’.
This adorable plush toy character has even made its way into the rap field with UK drill act Central Cee not only having one but five variations of Labubu.
Each Labubu falls under a category or ‘series’, Cench seems to be a fan of the ‘Have A Seat’ range with all his collectibles in a sitting position.
The series all have their own names and limited edition style characters too including ‘Wings Of Fortune’, ‘Big Into Energy’, Pop Mart even launched a collaboration with household brand Coca Cola.
Labubu toys are exclusive to Pop Mart and available in their stores nationwide including Manchester Market Street and soon in their brand-new Trafford Centre destination too HERE.
So, that explains all the queuing, at the very least.
Daisy Jackson -
4th January 2022 
