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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Sacha Lord set to back local hospitality again with money behind the bar of one Greater Manchester pub
Danny Jones
Local figure Sacha Lord is once again looking to help support Greater Manchester’s food and drink scene once again this spring by putting a total of £2.5k behind the bar of one lucky pub.
Well, let’s be honest, we’re about to be the real lucky ones.
It’s far from the first time that the Night Time Economy Advisor has done this, having previously put sizeable sums towards shared tabs on a few ocassions over the last few years.
Lining up his next handout for this coming early May bank holiday (perfect timing), it’s going to be a super and potentially very sloppy Sunday…
Tell me your favourite pub in Greater Manchester.
Bank Holiday Sunday 3rd May, I’ll be turning up and putting £2500 behind the bar.
Sharing the video above online earlier this week, the 54-year-old simply wrote, “Tell me your favourite pub in Greater Manchester. Bank Holiday Sunday, 3rd May, I’ll be turning up and putting £2500 behind the bar.”
The message is as straightforward as ever: “Support your local pub.”
Now obviously, the fact that people can reply with their go-to boozers and help influence the decision is one thing – something that has certainly always created an attraction each time he’s done this – but it’s also just a good way of marketing these watering holes to begin with.
Whether or not someone’s favourite public house tucked away in one of the 10 boroughs, or their bar of choice here in Manchester city centre, ends up being selected or not, it’s obviously great publicity having their names plastered on a notable social media account.
This is especially so when you see how much the post itself ends up being reshared and the overall exposure Lord ultimately lends them via creating such a big crowd discussion.
Here’s hoping we get proper beer garden weather over that long weekend.
It’s also worth noting that the further support stunts like this have helped garner support for other regional businesses – in particular, indies that are battling the cost of living crisis and so many other challenges within the sector – has proved crucial for some places to stay open to begin with.
A good example is the Thirsty Korean, who teamed up with the Altrincham-born entrepreneur to cover hundreds of bills back in 2023, and has now been able to expand into a larger venue down the road from their original Chorlton location.
The obstacles facing the hospitality industry remain varied and numerous, but gestures like this can go a long way to helping prop up those who need it.
Beyond The Music reveals first wave of lineup ahead of inaugural Salford edition
Danny Jones
Greater Manchester arts festival and conference Beyond The Music is back for 2026, but this time it will be heading to MediaCity for a Salford debut.
The long weekender is still a relative newcomer when it comes to the Manc events calendar, but it’s quickly gathered plenty of repute not just in the North West but within the industry as a whole.
Holding just its third edition later this year, Beyond The Music ’26 is set to be the most ambitious yet, spread across the three days and promising an impressive lineup both in terms of live performers, but also speakers, industry experts and wider activities.
With MediaCity and dock10 hosting their inaugural Beyond The Music, it’s another big win for the second city, with Sports Personality of the Year sticking over Salford way for the foreseeable future, along with other events like the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) Awards moving to the Quayside.
Much of the BBC’s World Cup coverage is also being hosted at their Salfordian studios and main Northern base this summer, too.
Given that so many big annual dates have now made the switch to central Manchester – the BRITs and the MOBOs, just to name two recent examples – you could say it only makes sense to spread things out across the surrounding boroughs and their equally rich heritage.
Not that you should need reminding, but Salford isn’t just part of the region: it’s a city all of its own right that boasts an immense amount of pride over what is nothing short of a sterling musical history.
As for the 2026 Beyond The Music programme, besides both the local artists and more international creatives than ever, there’ll be keynote conversations, industry showcases, and wider networking opportunities for anyone looking to immerse themselves deeper in this world.
Having now dropped the initial wave of this year’s lineup, we know the first 22 artists set to play BTM ’26, including Kofi Stone, our very own Loose Articles, fellow Manchester-based singer-songwriter Ewan Sim and plenty more to get excited about.
Sarah Pearson, Co-founder of Beyond The Music, said in an official statement: “Beyond The Music’s mission is to seize this moment, to come together and drive meaningful and lasting change in the music and content industry.
“It’s undeniable that the impact and importance of music and content are stronger than ever, but this is not reflected in their perceived value.
“The ethical and economic infrastructure of the music and content industries demands urgent attention and bold reform… It is our responsibility to protect creativity in order to ensure it doesn’t just survive but thrives. Things may feel difficult, but they are still possible.”
Mayor Burnham added: “Greater Manchester has always been at the forefront of cultural innovation, and Beyond The Music is a vital opportunity for the sector to come together and address the challenges and opportunities facing music and content creation…
“With its move to MediaCity and a bigger-than-ever programme, Beyond The Music is helping to cement our city region’s place at the centre of the creative economy.” Taking place between 7-9 October 2026, you can register for early bird tickets right HERE.
Mayor Andy Burnham and friends help launch Beyond the Music at MediaCityUK (Credit: Mark Waugh)
Emily Sergeant -
10th June 2024 
