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.
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Manchester seller handed hefty fine for flogging hundreds of ‘potentially dangerous’ fake poppies / Credit: Manchester City Council
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.
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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.
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Derby Street in Manchester city centre, where Miku Jewellery is located / Credit: Google Maps
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
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Club de Padel to close current Manchester location to make way for more Deansgate Square skyscrapers
Daisy Jackson
Club de Padel, the first padel club to open in Manchester, will be relocating from its Deansgate Square home.
The wildly popular sports club will close next week, as landowners Renaker begin the next phase of development of the skyscraper district.
Club de Padel is keeping its new location under wraps for now – but will be going out from its current Manchester home with a bang.
The club, which welcomed more than 100,000 people in the first year alone, will be offering free padel for all before it closes at Deansgate Square.
Club de Padel launched back in 2023, with four competition-grade courts, and has since added a Finnish sauna experience with Good Sauna, launched a best-selling clothing range with UN:IK, plus become the home for Manchester’s most popular run club with MADE Running.
As well as that, the club has been donating free courts and coaching during the school holidays to local children’s charity Wood Street Mission, and hosting events with the likes of adidas, REFY and Blank Street Coffee.
It’s been one of the city’s top sporting success stories, attracting attention from the likes of The Sunday Times, The Guardian, Hypebae and the BBC.
But now Club de Padel will be leaving its current home ahead of Renaker’s expansion of its luxury skyscraper district.
Club de Padel ManchesterClub de Padel is at the foot of the Deansgate Square towers
As for that new top-secret location opening later this year – they’re promising an ‘indoor and outdoor space in an incredible location, featuring an expanded padel experience, high-end wellness and social spaces, and a year-round programme of events’.
Club de Padel founders said in a statement today: “We’re incredibly proud of what we’ve built here in Manchester — bringing padel to the city centre for the first time and introducing tens of thousands of people to the sport during our time on Deansgate.
“But this site was never meant to be permanent, and we’ve been limited in what we can build here, so the time is right to move on, grow and improve.
“We’ve learned a huge amount from our time in Manchester and from opening our second club in Sheffield last year, and we’re excited to reveal the locations of our new sites — including the new Manchester club — and begin the next phase.
“In the meantime, we want to thank everyone who has made this club so special, and invite them to enjoy a free game of padel on us.”
Club de Padel will close to begin its Manchester relocation on 14 January.
You can book a free hour of padel between 9 and 14 January, through the usual Playtomic system – you’ll be refunded for your booking in full on arrival.
A remote uninhabited Scottish island is looking for a new ranger to patrol it
Emily Sergeant
Looking for a change of career in 2026? A fan of solitude? Well, this might be just what you’re after.
A new year often brings fresh perspectives, and with 2026 being right round the corner now, many may be exploring the idea of a job or change of career, and for those who consider themselves to be independent workers and are keen on their own company, the Scottish Wildlife Trust is currently hiring for a new Ranger.
The Ranger will work on Handa Island – which is a small, remote, and publicly uninhabited island in Eddrachillis Bay, just off the west coast of Sutherland in Scotland.
The role is described as being an ‘outstanding opportunity’ for a passionate and highly motivated individual.
They will be tasked with effectively managing this remote and beautiful island, along with all its incredible wildlife, and 8,000-plus annual visitors.
Handa Island needs a new ranger / Credit: Donald Macauley (via Flickr) | Wikimedia Commons
The successful applicant will boast excellent organisational skills, coupled with a high degree of flexibility, and will be responsible for organising work programs for themselves and a team of volunteers – with the ability to constantly adapt their plans according to changing conditions.
This role is described as being ‘physically demanding’ at times, yet hugely rewarding for anyone with the desire to work outdoors in a remote location.
Familiarity with Handa Island would be an advantage however not essential.
Accommodation for the post is provided free of charge in the purpose-built Ranger’s bothy, but weekly trips the nearest village are ‘necessary’ to do laundry, banking, shopping, and exchange gas bottles, therefore a current driving licence and access to a vehicle are both ‘essential’ for the role.
Fancy it then? To find out more about the specials skills and interests required for the roles, as well as benefits and also salary, you can head to the Scottish Wildlife Trust website.
Apply for the role of Ranger – Handa Island before the deadline on 7 January 2026 here.
Emily Sergeant -
10th June 2024 
