Hundreds of fake Chanel and Louis Vuitton handbags were seized in Cheetham Hill as part of efforts to stamp out counterfeit crime.
Manchester City Council has told of how 737 fake bags were identified and removed by Trading Standards officers from the premises of MH Import & Export Ltd on Derby Street on 8 May 2019.
Many of the bags were concealed behind other items on the shelves.
This was the most recent of several interventions between the company, the Council and brand representatives, as in November 2017, the council advised the company about its responsibilities not to sell counterfeit goods, and in January 2019, it was contacted by Chanel about selling goods which may bear their trademark.
These warnings were not heeded, however, and as a result, the company’s director Hakan Yazar, 43, was interviewed by council officers in December 2019.
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Yazar admitted that he was responsible for the ordering of stock, but claimed that he did not know anything about trade marks, that he did not remember receiving a letter from the Manchester City Council, and that, following a cease and desist letter from Chanel, took counterfeit products off the shelves.
He also claimed that he intended to destroy the bags – but had trouble in doing so.
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737 fake bags were identified and removed by Trading Standards officers / Credit: Manchester City Council
At a hearing at Manchester Magistrates Court on Friday 27 August, Yazar pleaded guilty to two breaches of the Trade Mark Act, 1994, and was subsequently sentenced to carry out 120 hours of unpaid work.
He was also fined £500, was ordered to pay costs of £1,250 and a victim surcharge of £90, and a forfeiture order was made for the counterfeit products.
“Very often in cases where counterfeit goods are being sold there are no excuses for the criminal behaviour taking place, this case was no different,” explained Councillor Rabnawaz Akbar – Executive Member for Neighbourhoods at Manchester City Council.
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“Not once but twice Yazar was warned about his activities yet continued to display and sell fake items in his shop.
“The counterfeit goods trade is not a victimless crime. There are strong links behind the practice to organised crime and this is a link we are determined to sever [but] thanks to the diligent work of our enforcement officers and legal team, we have been able to secure this prosecution and I am incredibly grateful for their efforts.”
MH Import & Export Ltd has since gone into liquidation.
Featured Image – Manchester City Council
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Exciting new CGIs released of £500m Therme Manchester wellness resort as construction continues
Emily Sergeant
As construction continues on Manchester’s massive wellness resort, some new CGIs have now been released.
In case you need bringing up to speed, construction of the £500 million Therme Manchester wellness resort officially began last September after several years of planning, and now developers have released some exciting new CGIs – with an update on how construction is going, as a new milestone has been reached this week.
Set to open to the public in 2029, Therme Manchester will become one of the largest urban wellbeing resorts in the world.
Visitors can expect to make the most of a 10 pools – both lagoon and wave pools included – thermal bathing, multi-sensory sauna rituals, steam rooms, 18 water slides, affordably-priced luxury spa therapies, and health and fitness experiences.
Exciting new CGIs released of Therme Manchester have been released / Credit: Supplied
At the heart of Therme Manchester will be three distinct zones, each offering a different way to spend time at the resort.
Play will bring together water-based fun and attractions for families and visitors of all ages, and Restore will focus on thermal bathing and restorative experiences designed to help visitors unwind, while Relax will offer spaces for relaxation and wellbeing.
The latest CGIs showcase the design as it develops – including the resort’s extensive indoor and outdoor spaces, and its 53,000sq ft wellbeing garden.
Construction is still underway on the £500m wellness resort / Credit: Supplied
The plans also feature a new public plaza designed to strengthen connections between the resort and the Bridgewater Canal.
Professor David Russell, CEO of Therme UK, said: “We have taken the opportunity to refine the design, improve how traffic and parking are managed and create a more welcoming environment for everyone arriving at the resort.
“We are creating an even better experience for visitors while supporting more efficient and sustainable operations.”
Therme Manchester was initially touted as a £250m project that would complete in 2025, but it’s now up to £500m and is scheduled to complete it 2029.
It marks one of the most significant building developments to ever take place in the North.
Featured Image – Supplied
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All students in England to be offered the chance to do a new Ukrainian GCSE
Emily Sergeant
All students in England are soon to be offered the chance to do a new Ukrainian GCSE.
Said to be part of the UK’s ‘enduring support’ for the Ukrainian community and continued commitment to stand with Ukraine and its people, young people in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland will now have the opportunity to study for a new Ukrainian GCSE, the Government has announced.
While the qualification will be open to all students, it marks a ‘particularly significant’ milestone for Ukrainian children and young people living in the UK.
It’s hoped that the introduction of the new GCSE will help Ukrainians to preserve a vital connection to their language, culture, and identity.
It’s also hoped that it’ll open pathways to future education and employment for all pupils.
In line with the other modern foreign language GCSEs that are currently on offer, the qualification will assess listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills, while also recognising the cultural and historical contexts that shape the Ukrainian language.
Examination board AQA will now begin the next phase of development, bringing together language and subject experts to design what will be a ‘high-quality’ qualification reflecting the richness of Ukrainian language and culture.
Education Secretary, Lucy Powell, commented: “As they build their lives here in the UK, it is right that Ukrainians and their children should have every opportunity to maintain that connection to their heritage and to be proud of who they are.
“This new qualification is available to all pupils and will give them the chance to develop their language skills and celebrate Ukraine’s rich culture and history, while also opening pathways to future study and employment and strengthening our partnership with Ukraine.
“Through that enduring partnership, we are building the lasting ties between our countries that will see the young minds of the future move forward together, and foster connections that transcend borders.”
The Ukrainian GCSE is expected to be available for first teaching from September 2028 – with first assessments taking place in 2029.
The Manc -
1st September 2021 
