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Why are people queuing HOURS for these viral toys in Manchester?

Where have Labubu been, honey?

Thomas Melia Thomas Melia - 11th May 2025

A viral craze has yet again struck the internet, and this time it’s a cute plush collectible toy character even causing queues in Manchester.

In Britain it’s safe to say we are accustomed to a queue or two, but this newest line which has started forming outside a toy and collectibles shop on Market Street has puzzled a fair few Mancs.

The queues aren’t appearing from nowhere either; social media users describe how they’ve walked past the store as early as 7:30am and seen dozens of people standing outside waiting.

The culprit of these queues? An adorable collectable plush toy character that goes by the name of ‘Labubu‘.

labubua toys
Here’s the reason why Market Street has those insane queues.
labubu designs
Labubu has made her way to Manchester in all her variations.
Credit: Pop Mart

If your follow-up question is, “What is a Labubu?”, don’t worry because we asked exactly the same thing before we ended up nose-deep in the world of these widely popular plush toys.

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Labubu is the name of the viral plush toy created by Hong Kong-born, Netherlands-raised designer Kasing Lung, who drew inspiration from his love of fairytales to make this worldwide cuddly phenomenon.

Recognised by their bunny-like ears, large eyes and big smiles (which some people find off-putting), Labubu has become a bit of an overnight superstar and shows no signs of slowing down.

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The general public aren’t the only ones all over these famous fur-balls either, as celebs and stars alike have been attaching them to their handbags and sporting them like a prized possession.

And these are some pretty big names too, everyone from global superstar Rihanna to pop princess Dua Lipa have been pictured with a variation of Labubu dangling from their handbag.

People don’t just want to buy these viral toys as they are, part of the reason people are so obsessed with Labubu is the surprise element as you’ll find thousands of unboxing videos online.

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Avid TikTok users will come across plenty of unboxing style videos, where collectors predict which colour or variation of the viral toy they will get before inevitably find out for themselves.

Previous Love Island contestant, reality TV star and model Olivia Attwood has got involved in this current Labubu trend, making lots of videos on social media expressing her love towards these plush collectables.

Attwood has become an unofficial mascot for Labubu through her various videos on social media, where she either unboxes or makes reference to these ‘monsters’.

@tiktokshop_uk Anyone else as obsessed as @OLIVIA ATTWOOD DACK about Labubus? We deffo are #labubuthemonsters #labubu #labubuhaveaseat ♬ Quiz, cute, silly clarinet(1583976) – nyansuke

It’s no passing craze either, as Pop Mart even has its sights set on a second Greater Manchester location set to open later this year.

This adorable plush toy character has even made its way into the rap field with UK drill act Central Cee not only having one but five variations of Labubu.

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Each Labubu falls under a category or ‘series’, Cench seems to be a fan of the ‘Have A Seat’ range with all his collectibles in a sitting position.

The series all have their own names and limited edition style characters too including ‘Wings Of Fortune’, ‘Big Into Energy’, Pop Mart even launched a collaboration with household brand Coca Cola.

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Labubu toys are exclusive to Pop Mart and available in their stores nationwide including Manchester Market Street and soon in their brand-new Trafford Centre destination too HERE.

So, that explains all the queuing, at the very least.

What do you make of the Pop Mart/Labubu craze?

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For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — The Manc Group/Pop Mart

Shopping

Aldi is hiring an official chicken nugget taster to send FREE nuggets to

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

Aldi is in the process of adding to its eclectic team of taste testers, and this time, chicken nuggets are in the hot seat.

The budget supermarket is no stranger to calling on members of the public to try out new products before they get released in store, whether it be recruiting someone to sample all of its different wines, crisps, beers, or even chocolate Easter eggs, but this is the first time Aldi will be hiring an official Chicken Nugget Taster.

One lucky shopper will get the chance to take on their ‘dream job’, receiving a variety of Aldi nuggets for free in exchange for feedback.

That’s right, nugget connoisseurs will receive a selection of Aldi’s best-selling nuggets to sample for free – including the popular Share the Love ‘Love Nuggets’ with Date Ketchup, which are set to return to stores once again from 10 February as part of the Valentine’s range.

Not only that, but the successful applicant will also receive a selection of the supermarket’s classics and well as different takes on the nugget to try out.

Aldi outside
Aldi is hiring an official chicken nugget taster to send free nuggets to / Credit: Aldi Corporate

And what’s in it for Aldi? All the supermarket is asking in return is a set of reviews rating the nuggets on their taste, texture, and the crispiness of their coating, to help guide the Buying Team on what products to stock in the future.

“The nation’s love for chicken nuggets is undeniable and we’re seeing a huge appetite for new and exciting flavours,” explained Julie Ashfield, who is the Chief Commercial Officer at Aldi UK.

“Our shoppers are our most important critics, so launching the role of an official Nugget Taster is the perfect way to ensure our products deliver the quality, taste, and price they deserve.”

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Fancy it then? To be in with a chance of landing this tasty job, all you need to do is send a video application stating your name, age, and social media handles, and then say why you love chicken nuggets so much and why you should become Aldi’s first-ever Nugget Taster.

Entries are now open, and you have until 11:59pm on 4 February to apply by emailing [email protected].

Featured Image – Broken Sphere (via Wikimedia Commons)

Shopping

Manchester City finally release special Year of the Horse collection for Lunar celebrations

Danny Jones Danny Jones Man City year of the horse shirt

Manchester City have officially launched their new ‘Year of the Horse’ kit, along with several other items in their latest lifestyle range.

The collection, which has been released as part of the Lunar New Year Celebrations, was leaked online in late 2025 before being officially teased earlier this year, but now Man City have fully unveiled the limited edition clothing items.

It follows the commercial success of their previous Chinese New Year-inspired kits and wider fashion lines over the last few seasons.

For anyone not up to speed on their Zodiac calendar knowledge, 2026 is officially (you guessed it) the year of the horse, hence this choice for the new ‘Capsule Collection’.

As explained on the club website, “It’s the Year of the Fire Horse, and Man City are bringing the heat.

“Set in earthy, neutral tones, the limited-edition Year of the Horse Capsule Collection captures both the stillness of vintage Chinese portraiture and the motion of a team in full stride.”

Revolving around a grey and almost beige colour palette, the full drop includes a new pre-match ‘Anthem’ jacket, a dark graphic design tee, a baseball cap, as well as a soft horse plushie.

The focal point, however, is obviously the jersey itself – though it remains to be confirmed whether or not the special seasonal strip will be worn in any games this campaign as other one-off/special limited edition shirts have been in the past.

You can see the kit in more detail here:

The price points range from £15 for the soft toy to £90 for the adult shirt, with the aforementioned Puma KING Anthem zip-up jacket already available in six colours.

What do you make of the latest lifestyle collection, Blues?

Somewhat fittingly, the Year of the Horse and other items finally debuted on the same day that their local rivals across the other side of town, Manchester United, released some new threads of their own: the second Adidas x The Stone Roses collection.

As for this years Lunar celebrations, the official plans for here in Manchester city centre have now been revealed. You can find out more down below.

Manchester’s legendary Dragon Parade returns next month to celebrate Chinese New Year 2026

Read more:

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Manchester City Football Club (via website)

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