Great news for the figurine enthusiasts amongst you as a brand new shop dedicated almost entirely to the world of Funko Pops has just opened up in Stockport town centre.
Be it little toys, vintage coins or something as simple as an eye-catching beer mat or cool glass from a local pub, we all like to collect little bits and bobs here and there, but for lovers of Funko Pops, it’s serious business.
Probably up there with one of the most popular categories of collector’s items in the world of hobbyists, Funko Pops have been huge for over a decade now and even if you don’t recognise the name right away, you’ll almost certainly have spotted them in the likes of HMV, WHSmiths, supermarkets and more.
Now though, for fans of the small plastic statues, you no longer have to only head into the city centre and the likes of Forbidden Planet, Travelling Man or Be More Geek to get a glimpse at the wider collection of Funko Pops available here in the UK as a new store has just opened up in 0161.
Online merchandise retailer Titan Pops UK has been around since 2021, specialising in selling officially licensed Funko Pops, plushies of your favourite TV, film and gaming characters, Pokémon cards and a plethora of other stuff.
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After a few years of building up a regular and dedicated customer base and popping up (see what we did there?) at the local market, the brand has now unveiled its flagship brick-and-mortar shop, putting down roots at Graylaw House on Chestergate over in Stockport – no, not the pub…
Situated as one of only a small handful of dedicated Funko Pop shops in Greater Manchester, local fans will be able to get their hands on popular ranges Star Wars, Marvel, Disney and Pokémon, just to name a few. Trust us, they’ve got plenty.
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Opening for business at the end of March, Titan Pops SK not only boasts some rarer Funko Pop collectables that you’re unlikely to find anywhere else in the ten boroughs but plenty of other merchandise too.
Popular among kids and adult collectors alike, Funko Pops are a much-loved pastime for many and now Stockport locals can get involved.
From t-shirts, Loungefly rucksacks, Tubbz figurines too and a wide variety of other officially licensed merchandise – we’re even talking things like Iron Man soda (cans of fizzy pop to us Northerners) – you’ll find plenty of pop culture goodies to be enjoyed here.
Starting off by opening from 9am-5pm on Saturdays and 10am-4pm on Sunday, as well as late-night shift on Wednesdays from (4:30 until 7pm), they’re the new go-to destination for you Funko Pops fanatics when the smaller selections here in the likes of the city centre have been exhausted.
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They’re even selling off mystery boxes of mixed items for an added bit of fun and excitement.
We always love it when a new opening caters to a niche that people are passionate about and they’re also a local family-run business, so even better. That being said, if you’re into your Funko Pops, now you know where to go find a shedload of them.
Police investigation underway following ‘shocking’ arson at Marple Cenotaph on Bonfire Night
Emily Sergeant
A public appeal for information has been issued after a fire was started near a war memorial in Stockport on Bonfire Night.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) is currently investigating after officers were called out around 9:50pm on Bonfire Night (Wednesday 5 November) following reports of a group of males near to the Cenotaph in Marple.
When police arrived at the scene, they found that a fire had been started in a bin and wooden pallets had been set alight – with the ground nearby having been damaged.
Neighbourhood officers in Marple are now investigating and are appealing for information in relation to this incident.
The incident has been described as a reckless act that could have ended with more damage and even serious injury.
“The Cenotaph means a lot to the community and incidents like this are deeply upsetting, particularly at a time when we should be honouring the memory of our war veterans,” explained Sergeant Rachel Walton, of GMP’s Stockport East Neighbourhood Policing Team.
“We are working closely with partners at Stockport Council and the fire service to ensure the area is cleaned and restored.
“We want to identify the individuals responsible, and we will have extra high-visibility patrols in the park each evening leading up to the Remembrance Day service on Sunday (9 November).”
This incident is just one of a total of 350 calls related to fire or fireworks that GMP responded to on Bonfire Night, which is said to be an increase from 203 last year.
A total of 27 arrests were made across Greater Manchester, with four weapons and hundreds of fireworks seized.
Anyone with any information is asked to contact GMP on 0161 856 9782, quoting log number 4223-051125, or by report online or calling 101.
You can also call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Featured Image – GMP
Stockport
Stockport paedophile who abused teen girls in early 2000s handed five extra years in prison
Emily Sergeant
A prolific paedophile who ‘groomed, exploited, and coerced’ teenage girls in the early 2000s has had his sentenced extended.
It was reported on back in June that Christopher Oates, from Stockport, was brought to justice after he subjected vulnerable girls to what Greater Manchester Police (GMP) referred to as a ‘campaign’ of violence and sexual abuse 20 years ago.
Oates was charged with possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence, three counts of engaging in penetrative sexual activity with a girl aged 13-15 years old, and two counts causing / inciting a child aged 13-17 years to prostitution.
He was originally sentenced to 13 years in prison for all his crimes.
But now, following a successful appeal by GMP, working with the survivors and the Crown Prosecution Service, to take the ‘unduly lenient’ sentence to the Court of Appeal, Oates has now been handed an extra five years in prison.
Paedophile who abused teenage girls twenty years ago has sentenced extended by five years after successful appeal
We’ve worked with the survivors and the CPS to take Christopher Oates’ unduly lenient sentence to the Court of Appeal. pic.twitter.com/4yfgjpWxCN
His sentencing increase comes after the 45-year-old groomed one of the survivors from when she was just 14 years old, by providing her with a false sense of security, paying her compliments, and pretending to be her boyfriend, all before he proceeded to ply her with drugs, gifts, and affection, and using the trust and control he gained to persuade her to start sex work on the streets of Manchester.
When the teenage victim began to doubt his intentions and asked to go home, Oates dragged her down an alleyway, violently attacked her, and threatened her with a gun, stating: ‘You do as I say, you’re mine now,’ commanding her to go to her ‘spot’.
It was this incident that prompted the teenager to confide in her mother and support services, and from here, found the strength to move forward with her life, while still courageously supporting the police investigation.
From this investigation, detectives were then able to identify a second teenage victim, a 17-year-old, who Oates also coerced into sex work.
Speaking on Oates’ sentencing increase, DI Eleanor Humphreys, who was a senior investigating officer for this case, said: “We join both victims in expressing our relief and delight that the Court of Appeal has reviewed Oates’ lenient sentence and increased it by five years.
“Oates will now rightly serve consecutive sentences for both victims, meaning that his time behind bars reflects the totality of his offending against both women – whose lives he has so badly impacted.
“We will not relent in ensuring child sex offenders are brought to justice and face the full consequences for their horrific crimes.”
Danny Jones -
11th April 2024 
