A film that received terrible reviews when it was released several years ago has been doing surprisingly well on Netflix.
Strangeways Here We Come, set in Salford and starring Michelle Keegan, was initially slammed for its ‘vile stereotypes’ – something its creator has defended.
It follows a group of residents on a council state plotting revenge on a local loan shark, played by Stephen Lord.
Alongside Michelle Keegan in her first film role, the cast also includes Chanel Cresswell and Perry Fitzpatrick from This Is England and Misfits actor Lauren Socha.
Strangeways Here We Come was written and directed by Chris Green, from Lower Broughton, in 2018.
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The film was absolutely slated by The Guardian on its release, who said in a one-star review that it was an ‘awful Salford-set Shameless ripoff’.
It’s named after a The Smiths album of the same name, but the paper noted it was ‘roughly as funny as Morrissey is nowadays’ – which is not very.
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The Times went a step further, giving it exactly zero stars out of five. I didn’t even know that was a thing.
Michelle Keegan stars in Strangeways Here We Come. Credit: Strangeways Here We Come
“This was made by someone who lived there. Growing up on Spike Island we saw a lot of violence. I can honestly say that 90 per cent of what you see in that film is true – its stuff I’ve seen, stuff I’ve experienced or know about. Apart from the murder, obviously.”
He added: “When [the film] came out, it was like putting Salford on the map. At the end of the day, all those unsavoury characters who are a bit brutal, are part of a community.
“When the chips are down, like the Salford communities I remember, they all come together to help each other out.”
But despite failing to wow the critics (understatement), the film has been quietly plucking away with Netflix audiences, and popped into the top 10 in the UK on its release week.
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Green said: “I couldn’t get my head round the fact that Strangeways Here we Come had gone to number ten on Netflix films yesterday. But now it’s at NUMBER 9!!!
The Coronation Street Experience has launched a major recruitment drive for jobs on the cobbles
Daisy Jackson
Ever fancied a job working on the most famous street on television? Now’s your chance.
The Coronation Street Experience has launched a major recruitment drive for positions on the iconic cobbles.
They’re on the hunt for Corrie fans who can step into the roles of tour guides and guest services team members, leading members of the public on tours around the set of the nation’s favourite soap.
Successful applicants will be able to bring more than 65 years of TV history to life for all the visitors who flock from around the world to visit the ITV Studio’s production site.
Members of the public have been able to step onto the real filming location used in the long-running soap for more than a decade, popping into iconic locations like the Rovers Return, Roy’s Rolls, and Underworld.
The Coronation Street Experience has recently increased its tour capacity ahead of another busy summer season, and now needs extra hands who know their Platts from their Barlows.
They’re hoping to recruit passionate fans who can turn their love for the soap into a job, with duties including greeting visitors all the way to guiding them around the world-famous set.
Current tour guide Shaun Whitehouse said: “Working on the set is something most fans only dream about.
There are jobs up for grabs on the iconic Coronation Street cobbles. Credit: The Manc Group
“Every tour is different. One moment you’re sharing little-known behind-the-scenes stories and the next you’re helping guests have their photos taken outside the Rovers.
“Seeing people’s reactions when they step onto the set for the first time is magical – it really never gets old.”
Ashley Bolton-Burrows, General Manager of the Coronation Street Experience, said: “Coronation Street has been part of British life for generations and we welcome fans from all over the world who want to experience the magic of the show up close.
“We’re looking for people with energy, personality and a genuine passion for the show. Whether they’ve watched for decades or grown up with the programme, this is a fantastic opportunity to work somewhere truly unique and help create unforgettable memories for our guests.”
The Coronation Street Experience has become one of Greater Manchester’s most popular visitor attractions, giving fans exclusive access to the largest single TV production site in the world.
Applications are now open. For more information or to apply, head HERE.
You can win two VIP tickets to a Co-op Live show as part of a heartwarming Manc charity raffle
Danny Jones
Fancy bagging yourself the posh treatment at the biggest indoor gig and live entertainment venue in the city? Well, you can do just that by entering the latest Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity raffle, which is offering a pair of VIP tickets to a Co-op Live show.
All you have to do is simply do your bit for a crucial local cause.
It’s one that we’ve worked closely with in the past on many occasions: the ‘A Bed Every Night’ scheme, which helps house rough sleepers across the region.
Teaming up with The 24 Hour Run Against Homelessness – which was created specifically to generate funds for this ongoing crisis – as well as an upcoming community social, all you have to do to be in with a chance is put your name down for a cheap raffle ticket.
Writing in the caption of the post, the Mayor’s Charity has revealed that “Cross Club Social and The Manchester 24 Hour Run Against Homelessness are teaming up to raffle off 2x VIP Co-op Live tickets to a show of your choosing.”
That’s right, not just any random show – you get to pick which one you fancy going along to in style.
With the 2026 edition of the annual fundraising relay event, on behalf of Greater Manchester’s homeless community, taking place this November (find out more on the GMMC website and keep up to date with us here at The Manc for the latest) they’re hoping to get the donations going nice and early.
For anyone unaware, the Cross Club Social, or ‘XCS’, has been going for a few years now; it brings together runners from all over the 10 boroughs for a big post-race party, all whilst raising money for charitable organisations.
DJs, karaoke, quizzing, three full rooms, an entire beer garden to themselves, and MUCH more. 👀
The next edition will be taking place this Friday, 19 June, over at the award-winning Fairfield Social Club, where an all-day party will run, pardon the pun, well into the night.
Better still, entrants into the raffle don’t have to wait long to find out if they’re a winner, as the lucky recipient is set to be announced the following Saturday (20 Jun) after the big shindig over on the XCS Instagram page.
The Mayor’s Charity team signed off by adding, “Good luck and together, we will end homelessness” – a mission that many Manc groups, especially, have been working so hard to make possible in recent times.
For instance, last year alone, the aforementioned 24 Hour Run, whose team will be in attendance and taking donations for at XCS 2026, generated a whopping £70k, and the total tally has now reached truly life-changing sums.
As for the Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity raffle, you can grab a ticket HERE for just a fiver to secure your chance to go along to a VIP night at Co-op Live. Fingers crossed!
Daisy Jackson -
25th November 2022 
