There’s a viral shop in Manchester where people queue for hours to get their hands on viral toys, and it’s now making its way to the Trafford Centre.
After already taking Manchester by storm when it initially opened back in March this year, viral toy shop Pop Mart now has its sights set on another new spot in one of the North West’s most iconic and popular shopping malls.
Known for stocking all the latest viral collectable crazes, Pop Mart is set to open its second Manchester site at none other than the Trafford Centre (TC) and will definitely bring in the same queues as its Market Street predecessor.
The Chinese toy and collectable shop has become in high demand for stocking just one certain toy character: Labubu
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This cheeky toy character is quite a marmite topic for some, with many finding the plush toys to be cute and cuddly, while others deem Labubu ‘monsters’ to be a bit creepy and off-putting.
Are we pulling from an internal office debate? Maybe…
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Regardless, Labubu are widely recognisable around the world, famed for their bunny-like ears and big, wide eyes; soft, shiny fur and, most notably, a large smile with their teeth on display.
It seems everyone is after one of these Labubu character toys, with Mancs making their commute to work through the city centre, startled by the sheer length of the queues at Pop Mart.
There’s a huge amount of Labubu characters to collect.Labubu has blown up online and will now be stocked across two Pop Mart locations across Greater Manchester.Credit: Pop Mart
One social media user even commented, “I went past on the tram at 7.30 this morning and there were half a dozen people in the queue already!”
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Trends may come and go, but it seems this latest viral craze is here to stay as it’s now having a second resurgence thanks to lots of celebrity endorsements, including Love Island star Olivia Attwood.
We’re sure the Trafford Centre venue will be just as healthily stocked.
At present, there’s no official opening date for Pop Mart’s Trafford Centre store besides the ‘Coming Soon’ signage outside the shop front, but we’re sure it won’t be too long before you can get your next Labubu fix – we wouldn’t be surprised to see even more Greater Manchester locations follow.
Manchester United to wear special one-off shirt for important awareness campaign
Danny Jones
Just to pre-empt any Manchester United fans fearing they’re still in total delirium the next time they see that iconic red shirt, we can confirm it isn’t just your rose-tinted glasses deceiving you – the club will be wearing a special one-off shirt with a notable difference very soon.
All eyes may now be on Wednesday, 21 May but this limited edition kit has already caught the eye of many supporters for one very obvious reason.
In case you haven’t seen it for yourselves already, Man United have confirmed that both the men’s and women’s squads will be will be wearing a slight variation on their home shirt for their next two matches as part of a special campaign for an important charitable cause.
Joining forces with their usual primary shirt sponsors Snapdragon and global health campaigners Product RED, this one-off alternative strip will be unveiled on the pitch this week.
Product Red, or simply (RED) as it will read on the jersey itself, is a worldwide charity that’s been working to fight global health crises since 2006.
(RED)’s key aim is to end the AIDS epidemic and related injustices by raising money for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria.
The organisation officially partnered with the club and Snapdragon back in January in an effort to help drive awareness and generate further backing for their work – it just so happens that teaming up with one the planet’s biggest brands and one synomyous with that colour made for the perfect collaboration.
With that in mind, putting together a one-off Man United kit with (RED) slap bang in the middle as is close to a commercial/charitable tap-in as you’re probably ever going to get.
Set to be debuted by Manchester United Women in their WSL fixutre against Arsenal this Saturday, 10 May and then again by Ruben Amorim’s side in the Premier League the following day (Sun, 11 May); plus, a select few limited edition replicas shirts will be made available for fans to purchase.
Be first in the know, Reds 👀
Get notified when our limited-edition @RED collection drops ⤵️#MUFC || @Snapdragon
It goes without saying that given the nature of the front-of-shirt sponsor swap, these will no doubt become somewhat of a special item among kit collectors from the off.
More importantly, however, the funds raised through selling these one-off Man United shirts will provide much-needed income for the non-profit and their crucial efforts.
The unveiling of the comes not long after the bedlam that ensued inside Old Trafford during the second leg against Athletic Club, in which United booked their return trip back to Bilbao for the Europa League final, leaving plenty of fans of seeing nothing but the colour red ever since.
MUWFC also sealed their spot in the Women’s Champions League next season to with an important point in the Manchester Derby this past weekend, confirming a finish above Man City this year.
Safe to say it’s been a good few days to be a (RED).
The Manchester vintage shop selling designer brands for £25 has reopened in a new location
Thomas Melia
A much-loved and viral vintage shop selling all your favourite designer brands is finally returning to Manchester after a 16 month closure.
Already loved vintage shop Catch My Thrift is reopening in a new location in Manchester city centre and it’s providing people with high-end fashion at budget-friendly prices.
After a successful run of pop-up shop dates on Deansgate, now, Catch My Thrift now has a permanent location to help make the streets of Manchester even more stylish, one thrifted tee at a time.
There’s no catch here, besides the one you can find in their company name, as you can bag brands from Yves Saint Laurent to Ralph Lauren from as little as £25.
Located in Chatham Mill, this vintage clothes shop is suitable for shopaholics and bargain lovers alike as they’re providing the people of Manchester with trendy tees while keeping prices in the forefront of their mind.
An Yves Saint Laurent polo shirt from Catch My Thrift in Manchester.This vintage store has a variety of cool jackets, just like this one.Credit: The Manc Group
Just a five minute walk from iconic music venues Gorillaand O2 Ritz, Catch My Thrift also finds itself right in the heart of Manchester’s student accommodation.
Catch My Thrift is the brainchild of sustainable fashion brand owner Scott Joseph, known online as Sustainably Scott, and initially launched all the way back in 2023.
Now, this vintage clothes site is well-trusted as their Instagram account highlights notable names that have visited the including the England Rugby team as well as a whole host of influencers.
And very soon you’ll be able to walk round with coffee in hand as the attached space will act as a coffee shop venue working alongside the vintage clothes vendor titled, Canteen.
There’s an additional third unit just next door that owner Scott has plans for in the future, however all is being kept secret as of yet.
One thing we can guarantee is whatever this space becomes, it’s sure to be a hit.
Catch My Thrift, colloquially referred to as Catch, is open now and their attached coffee shop Canteen will be opening very soon, both located at Chatham Mill in Manchester.
A lovely outfit combination made by Catch My Thrift owner, Scott.It doesn’t get more vintage than a snazzy windbreaker.Credit: The Manc Group
Thomas Melia -
9th May 2025 
