Manchester trader handed hefty fines for flogging hundreds of ‘potentially dangerous’ fake poppies
Manchester City Council wants the fines to "send a firm message" to other traders who think they can "skirt the law" and "disregard safety regulations".
A trader who flogged hundred of fake poppies and other items deemed “potentially dangerous” has been handed some hefty fines.
Thanks to an early warning tip-off by a member of the public back in April 2022, Manchester City Council‘s Trading Standards team was alerted that a consignment of toys imported by Miku Accessories and Gifts Limited had arrived in the country, and by choosing to act on supplied intelligence, carried out an inspection at a premises on Derby Street, just outside of Manchester city centre.
During this inspection, samples were taken from a range of items on sale.
Seized items by the Council’s Trading Standards team during the inspecting included 422 ‘poppy’ pins – which were confirmed to be fake, and not authorised by the Royal British Legion – 110 items of jewellery, 200 light up toys, 136 suspected-counterfeit ‘Marvel’ toys, and a further 73 toys that were all lacking the correct labelling.
“Dangerous levels” of heavy metals were also found in the samples of jewellery seized and inspected, while issues with the light-up toys were also detected too, while other elements were found to be too small and therefore posed a potential choking hazard.
ADVERTISEMENT
When interviewed by Trading Standards, the company’s director – who has been named as 49-year-old Ling Bin Li, from Sale – stated that items were imported from China, and that he relies on “verbal confirmation that goods are compliant with laws” in the country they are shipped to.
He also stated that items are tested on his family members to “ensure their safety”, before being sold onto to the public.
ADVERTISEMENT
After claiming not to be aware of REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals) Regulations, as well as the Toy Safety Regulations and the Trade Marks Act, prior to a hearing at Tameside Magistrates Court last Monday (3 June 2024), Mr Li pleaded guilty to offences under the REACH Act, Toy Safety Regulations, and the Trade Marks Act.
Mr Li accepted that he did not conduct due diligence over the products which were being sold, and that he did not check the relevant regulations, according to Manchester City Council.
Because of this, he was subsequently fined £2,000, as well as a victim surcharge of £190, and costs of £2,000, while his business was ordered to pay a £6,000 fine, a victim surcharge of £190, and additional costs of £2,340.
ADVERTISEMENT
A forfeiture order was also granted for the items seized by Trading Standards, the Council has confirmed.
Councillor Lee-Ann Igbon, who is the Executive Member for Vibrant Neighbourhoods at Manchester City Council, says she believes Mr Li’s fines should “send a firm message” to other traders who think they can “skirt the law” and “disregard safety regulations”.
“We are entirely committed to ensuring that people in Manchester are able to shop safely,” Cllr Igbon added.
“The work of our Trading Standards team is invaluable in making sure that dangerous products do not make their way into the homes of ordinary people.”
Featured Image – Google Maps
Business
Ultimate Performance: the global gym group living up to their name and thriving here in Manchester
Danny Jones
Gyms are ten a penny here in Greater Manchester, but there’s something to be said for a fitness brand that can operate on a global scale whilst still delivering that smaller, more bespoke feel that you only get from personal trainer-focused facilities – say hello to Ultimate Performance.
With a total of 24 locations all over the world, the Ultimate Performance gym group is much more than just another chain; the UP approach is becoming its own fitness phenomenon, with countless high-profile clients, write-ups in health and wellness outlets and consistent results across the board.
Better still, if you’re a Manc looking to get in the best shape of your life, their Manchester location is based right in the heart of the city and of the centre’s most exciting districts, so you’re well-placed to get your transformation underway whenever you ready.
Priding themselves on not only being the “home of the world’s leading personal trainers in Manchester” but also delivering value for money by the time you’ve achieved your fitness goals. So, what exactly is it that sets them apart?
Well, for starters, given the scope of the company and its growing reputation, Ultimate Performance locations are typically much bigger than most and their programmes are more comprehensive than most other gyms where you pay a monthly membership fee.
At the other end of the spectrum, they also promise a much more expansive offering than regular PTs and boutique gyms, both in terms of the facilities and infrastructure as well as in how their clients are looked after.
Rather than just being paired with an available instructor, time is taken to ensure you find the right match when it comes to your trainer and the workouts you take on, with clients being given proper supervision/programming that is geared towards very specific outcomes without being babied.
You only have to hear it from the numerous testimonials taken from their Manchester clients alone to understand the kind of experience you’ll receive at an Ultimate Performance gym.
They’ve had a fair share of famous faces vouch for the quality of coaching too, from the likes of Hollywood A-lister Glen Powell over in the States to Gemma Atkinson here in Manchester.
To put things into perspective when you simply Google ‘best gym Manchester‘ you’ll not only find round-up articles like ours but also several results for Ultimate Performance specifically.
If you Google “best gym Manchester” which is how we found you guys! UP make most of the other lists, if you wanna read a few to get more of a sense this might help – we didn’t pay for these they happened naturally.
From personalised UP free weights, high-end equipment and other little touches that let you know they mean business, they give you everything you need to transform your body or lay the foundations for lifelong health.
The only question left is are you ready and how seriously are you willing to take it?
Ultimate Performance is the gym in Manchester to join if you want to stick to your plan and achieve whatever goals you set yourself, from fat loss to muscle building to general health, with some of the world’s best personal trainers coaching from here.
Iconic Oxford Road pub The Footage has gone up for sale – and wait until you hear for how much
Danny Jones
Beloved Manchester bar and once regular student stomping ground The Footage has officially been up for sale and it’s fair to say we had to double-take when saw for how much.
The iconic Oxford Road pub quietly closed its doors back in May after more than 30 years under various different names – but it’s always been The Footage to us.
It was one of the most popular pubs on the busy student strip for generations of uni cohorts and, as we’re sure many a Manc gig-goer would vouch for, a great place for pints beforehand.
However, not only the place is vacant but it’s now been put on the market for a bigger bargain than you’d find at Poundland. No, seriously…
No, we’re not pulling your leg: Manchester’s once well-trodden and ever-busy The Footage is now listed on Rightmove for just £1.
A quid, for a whole building and all that potential on none other than Oxford Road, one of Manchester’s most prime real estate areas.
It might sound daft at first but it’s actually not too unheard of nowadays and properties like these can often be listed for such a small amount either to help others get on the ladder, support local businesses and industry markets, as well as make sure a site’s heritage can be not just kept intact but carried on.
As the former cinema house and theatre is a Grade II-listed building, built in 1912 and set over two sizeable storeys (plus, it really is gorgeous), everyone involved has a vested interest in making sure it doesn’t get left to just sit there and go to waste.
However, take that price point with a decent pinch of salt because it isn’t just about purchasing the plot but also getting the place up to scratch, and in terms of business rates the value according to Rightmove is “£41,250 with effect from April 2023”.
The listing goes on to add that “confirmation of actual business rates payable should be obtained from the local authority” but it still presents a big opportunity for someone to take over the roomy spot.
Although there is scope to do a lot with the place, the substantial basement area with two large beer cellars and a number of smaller storage rooms means it’s likely to become another bar or maybe just snapped up by a bar group.
Once again, particulars like the current energy rating are still to be fully certified but whoever does take a chance on buying it for just the price of a decent pick-and-mix with have access to a license that allows for trading between 10am-2am, Monday to Saturday and until 1am on Sunday.
We sincerely hope The Footage doesn’t stay up for sale too long and that somebody rolls the dice with the beautiful building – at that kind of price you’d be a fool not to. It’s not the only longstanding local favourite that’s gone up for sale either.