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
Business
Chester Zoo is hiring a new keeper to look after its ‘birds and bees’
Emily Sergeant
Chester Zoo is currently hiring someone to look after its ‘birds and bees’, and you can get your applications in the for role now.
If you’re after a career change in 2026, then surely it doesn’t get much better than this?
The UK’s biggest charity zoo currently has a vacancy open for a Keeper to join the Invertebrates team, and for the right candidate, this offers a fantastic opportunity to work as part of the wider Ectotherms department – with a focus on native species conservation.
Chester Zoo is responsible for one of Europe’s largest and most-diverse animal communities, and this is your chance to be a part of what makes it so special.
For this full-time role, the zoo is looking for an ‘enthusiastic, dynamic, and motivated’ individual to provide extensive knowledge and proven expertise in caring for and managing all the native invertebrate species that live there.
The ideal candidate for this job will have a HND or degree level qualification in a zoological related science or equivalent experience, and have ‘outstanding’ observational skills and attention to detail, as well as be committed to ensuring the highest possible standards of animal health and welfare are met.
The role of ‘Keeper – Invertebrates’ is 40 hours per week on a 12-month Fixed Term basis, with the working week being 10 days out of 14, including weekends and bank holidays as rostered, and the salary being £25,500 per annum.
Working at Chester Zoo comes with an ‘excellent benefits package’ and loads of perks too, including a generous pension scheme, 33 days paid holidays per year, a healthcare plan, pension scheme, a staff pass so you can visit the zoo for free, and complimentary tickets for friends and family.
Think you’re fit for the job? The closing date for applications is 22 November 2026, and you can find out more and apply for the role here.
Featured Image – Chester Zoo
Business
Full list of Manchester restaurants set to add an extra £1 to bills to tackle homelessness this Christmas
Emily Sergeant
A handful of local restaurants will be adding an extra £1 onto every bill over the festive season to help fight street homelessness.
As November arrives, the temperatures begin to start dropping, and the nights set in a little earlier, people in Greater Manchester are once again able to give back while they dine at some of the best restaurants the region has to offer in the run up to Christmas, as the successful StreetSmart fundraising initiative is back for another year.
This year, 15 fantastic restaurants have come together to support local homeless charities as the campaign launches today (1 November).
Manchester independents such as Proloco, Erst, Ezra & Gill, Stretford Canteen, and Blue Eyed Panda are among those taking part in the campaign this year, alongside several city centre chain restaurants such as Lina Stores, Tampopo, Banyan, Manahatta, and San Carlo.
Now in its 29th year, StreetSmart works by each participating restaurant adding an extra £1 to every bill they deliver throughout November and December, with all of the money raised going directly to local homeless organisations, thanks to StreetSmart’s official sponsorship from LandAid.
Manchester restaurants are adding an extra £1 to bills to help fight homelessness this Christmas / Credit: Supplied | Rifqi Ali Ridho (via Unsplash)
Since launching in 1998, the campaign has raised over £16.2 million to support charities across the UK, providing practical help, from meals and emergency accommodation to healthcare, training, housing advice and routes towards finding a permanent home.
The StreetSmart team says it’s determined to deliver another record-breaking year in 2026, and provide much-needed support to the services that help some of the most vulnerable people in the city.
Manchester restaurants taking part in StreetSmart 2026
Proloco
Hache MCR
Bar Posie
SAMPA
Blue Eyed Panda
Ezra & Gill
Erst
Little Seeds
Lina Stores
Stretford Canteen
Hawksmoor
Manahatta
San Carlo Bottega
Tampopo
Banyan Bar & Kitchen
“The festive period can be an incredibly tough time for the vulnerable people in our community,” explained Glenn Pougnet, who is the Director of StreetSmart.
“StreetSmart provides a simple way for people to help some of our city’s most in need. Giving back whilst dining out at Christmas is what StreetSmart is all about, and we’re thrilled to have so many restaurants already taking part.
Emily Sergeant -
10th June 2024 
