May 29, 2026
Russell T Davies’ Tip Toe: The Locations in Manchester and Salford
Credit: Channel 4
TV’s Russell T Davies is back with original drama Tip Toe, his first Channel 4 drama since It’s a Sin. The five-part series follows a feud between neighbours Leo (Alan Cumming) and Clive (David Morrissey) in Manchester, profiling the corrosive forces facing the LGBTQ+ community today. Tip Toe is produced by Quay Street Productions with Nicola Shindler, Russell T Davies and Peter Hoar onboard as Executive Producers.
Set in modern Manchester, the production filmed across Manchester and Salford with interiors built in Space Studios Manchester, a purpose-built facility for feature film and high-end TV production. Filming across Manchester city centre was made possible with the support of Screen Manchester, who facilitate filming for Manchester City Council.
The Filming in England team supported the production team behind Tip Toe, assisting with location scouting and facilitating road closure requests in Salford. Plus, our Crew Team were pleased to help find marshals for the on-location shoot. Chelsea Foster, Production Liaison Manager, North West and Midlands reflects on working with the production & our Greater Manchester partners:
“It is always a great privilege and pleasure to work with our film friendly Film Office & Local Authority partners across Greater Manchester – our Filming in England team were proud to support what will no doubt be another fantastic and important show from Russell T Davies and the team at Quay Street Productions.
This show will be a beautiful representation of the fantastic, well-known locations across the city centre, beautiful suburbs and the supportive community that exists throughout Greater Manchester.”
Scroll down to discover Tip Toe’s locations…
Central Manchester
Tip Toe filmed on location in multiple amazing spots in Manchester itself. Importantly, Leo (Alan Cumming’s character) runs a bar on Canal Street, therefore a large amount of the on-location shoot took place on the iconic street itself. Filming was facilitated by Screen Manchester, who worked closely with the team’s Locations Department to secure these locations across the city.
Other Manchester locations include: Velvet and REM Bar on Sackville Street, the Northern Quarter and Saxon Street.
Space Studios Manchester
Space Studios Manchester have hosted a number of significant productions, from Peaky Blinders to The Crown, A Gentleman in Moscow and now Tip Toe. The team at the studio welcomed the cast and crew behind the production in 2025, and Studio Manager Dean Sinacola shares inside information on the making of the series:
“Russell has always been a big supporter of Manchester’s own Space Studios so having the opportunity to help bring another one of his scripts to life is always a joy. We had several overlapping interior house sets built on the stage over 18 weeks at the end of 2025. As the show’s heart is in Manchester, the city almost becomes a character in itself, the benefit of the studios being so close to the centre meant the production could work on location and on set the same day which is a rare occurrence.”
Salford
The central location of the series is a street where main characters Leo and Clive live next door to each other. The exteriors for this location is actually a residential street in Salford, Greater Manchester – and elsewhere in Salford, the production also filmed in the market town of Eccles.
Filming in England worked closely with Salford City Council to facilitate filming and road closures in Salford. We heard from Councellor Hannah Robinson-Smith, Lead Member for Culture, Heritage, Sports and Leisure at Salford City Council:
“We’re incredibly excited for the release of the new Russell T. Davies drama Tip Toe, a production we’re proud to say was filmed in Salford, which showcases not only the fantastic storytelling we’ve come to expect from Davies but the strength of our city as a screen destination. Tip Toe is a brilliant example of how we’re continuing to grow as a truly film‑friendly city”
Chelsea Foster, Production Liaison Manager for the North West and Midlands, reflects:
“As a part of the heavy but incredibly powerful message woven throughout this story, the locations department were presented with quite a complex brief. I was proud to work with the team to help find the right residential street which would provide the support required for very sensitive scenes. From initial recce through to an extensive shoot, the teams at Salford City Council proved effortlessly to be that support.
The highways team kindly worked through intricate street works requirements and assisted in ensuring an appropriate cordon was provided for scenes taking place in and near the main residential locations. The locations department diligently worked with the council and residents to ensure town hall meetings were provided to discuss the sensitive subjects being portrayed and worked closely with the team to ensure the community felt supported throughout.”
Congratulations to the entire Locations Department on Tip Toe! We spoke to Location Manager Tom Bartram and Assistant Location Manager Sharon Wood about their shoot in Salford, who told us:
“It’s been fantastic to work on Tip Toe and we are thankful for the support we received across our multiple locations in the North West. We requested a lot of major road closures across the episodes, with late hours, specialised equipment and drone units to name but a few things and everything was smooth and collaborative. This production wanted to show off Manchester and surrounding areas.
The service that Creative England delivers contributed to a smooth running shoot. We love working in the North West and the team at Creative England fully supported our requests to film sensitive, bold and powerful content, especially in the Salford area. It goes without saying that Russell T Davies likes to push boundaries and highlights thought provoking topics. Thank you for all the support.“
Screen Manchester, Space Studios Manchester and Salford City Council are all members of the Filming in England Partnership, find more information on how to join here.
Filming in England are on hand to provide production support from early feasibility to post, get in touch with our team here: production@creativeengland.co.uk with your location briefs.
Search our nationwide Locations Directory to see over 8,000 outstanding locations: https://www.filminginengland.co.uk/locations/
