Feature

Pop Mart to open in Leeds City Centre selling viral Labubu plushies

Oh. Em. Gee.

Clementine Hall Clementine Hall - 2nd June 2025

Leeds Labubu lovers (try saying that three times), your beloved Pop Mart is on its way to Leeds.

If you haven't been plugged into the whole Labubu hype then first of all, where have you been? And second of all, allow us to fill you in.

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.

Images: The Manc Group

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 where can you get your hands on a Labubu? Pop Mart. And where are Pop Mart opening their newest shop? Right here in Leeds.

According to a job advert for Store Manager on Indeed, Pop Mart will be opening on Briggate just next to the Queens Arcade near Starbucks.

Images: The Manc Group

Pop Mart is famed for its huge collection of designer toys and collectible items, often attracting fans from far and wide who are prepared to queue up outside the doors before opening.

Here's what the job advert says: "Founded in 2010, POP MART is a market-leading entertainment company and a global champion of designer toy culture. Through global artist development, IP operations, and designer toy culture evangelism, we have built an integrated platform covering the entire designer toy value chain.

"Besides our original and iconic IPs such as Molly, Hirono, Skullpanda, and LABUBU, POP MART collaborates with top-tier toys and lifestyle brands including Disney, Universal Studios, and Sanrio to create collectible art toys featuring their iconic characters."

You can view the job advert here.

Read more: Why are these viral toys selling out so fast in Leeds?

Featured image - The Manc Group

Feature

Leeds speakeasy crowned one of the best cocktail bars in the world by industry experts

Clementine Hall Clementine Hall

The beloved Domino Club is receiving its flowers, and rightly so.

Rapidly becoming one of the industry’s most respected accolade of excellence, The Pinnacle Guide is a worldwide ranking of the best bars across the globe.

Based on a thorough self-application process, rigorous assessment modules, followed by a series of spot check interviews and anonymous in-bar reviews, it's no easy feat to get a spot on this list.

Which is why it makes The Domino Club's achievement all that more impressive.

Known amongst locals and visitors alike as basically one of the coolest bars in town, the hidden speakeasy invites you through a barbershop in the Grand Arcade where downstairs you'll find a dimly lit jazz and cocktail bar oozing sex appeal.

Not only are the cocktails exceptional, but their live music listings is something to behold playing everything from jazz and funk to cabaret and disco every Wednesday - Sunday.

Announcing the news to Instagram, The Domino said: "Listed by The Pinnacle Guide. The Domino Club has been recognised on the global list of the world’s best bars.

"What began as a hidden basement bar in Leeds, built around live music, cocktails and atmosphere, is now being recognised alongside some of the finest bars in the world.

"A huge thank you to our team, musicians, suppliers and every single guest who has supported us over the years. This means a lot. Leeds belongs on the world cocktail map."

We absolutely could not agree more and if you haven't ventured behind the barbershop and discovered the magical Domino Club, then we very much recommend you do.

Read more:

Featured image - The Hoot Leeds

Feature

Audio North’s Artist of the Month : Holly Rolfe | May 2026

Thomas Melia Thomas Melia

As you're well aware by now, the North has some of this country's best artists and musicians, so much so, we are showcasing a new one to you every single month.

Meet Holly Rolfe, a Lichfield-born, Leeds-based artist who's music is cathartic, emotive with her stage presence helping create a pure-pop package.

Her singles have captivated audiences online with one song in particular, 'I'll Come Back To You', amassing over 250,000 streams.

She's also focused on uplifting fellow female musicians, something which she has made into a real initiative titled 'Women in Music Presents'.

And if you're wondering why all her outfits have varied in shades of blue when she's featured in videos on Audio North's Instagram account - she explains later on.

An interview with Holly Rolfe | Audio North's Artist of the Month: May

Holly Rolfe, Audio North's artist of the month for May.
Holly Rolfe, Audio North's artist of the month for May.
Meet Hilly Rolfe, Audio North's artist of the month for May / Credit: The Manc Group

How did you get into music?

I started busking at 14 after some encouragement from my Mum who was also a busker. Then I started performing at weddings and taking part in gigs.

Every family holiday we used to listen to CDs whenever we'd drive around and play Adele, Robbie Williams, specifically the live albums, Mika too.

Who were some of your musical influences growing up?

Some of my favourite musicians who's music I am inspired by are Mimi Webb and Cian Ducrot. Obviously Harry Styles and Sabrina Carpenter too.

Especially Sabrina and Mimi, I love their fun pop girl energy, I just want to channel that.

Do you want to tell us a little bit more about your recent EP?

On 24 April I released my EP Lost in the Dark (Live in Session), which is a collection of songs that I believe aren't based around streams, but instead it's a passion project.

It means so much to me and it sums up who I am as an artist, the music I want to create and my experience of being a student in Leeds.

You're also part of a group called Women in Music Presents, please can you tell us more about this?

It's a group created during my final year of university that I made with some friends.

We wanted something that focused around the positives and challenges that being a female artist brings, while uplifting each other with no real headliners at each event, instead we all share the spotlight.

Holly alongside Women in Music Presents line-up at The Attic in Leeds / Credit: The Manc Group
Holly alongside Women in Music Presents line-up at The Attic in Leeds / Credit: The Manc Group

We've noticed that you like to wear a lot of blue, how come?

I've always been obsessed with blue and when I was starting to brand myself as an artist I thought this colour really compliments me.

And honestly royal blue, navy, baby blue, whatever the shade is I love it.

What are some of your career highlights so far?

My first band gig was at the Piece Hall in Halifax where I got the opportunity to support Cian Ducrot and that's where everything really kicked off.

From there I performed at The Cavern Club in Liverpool, where as well as performing, I also got the chance to admire some of pop music's greatest memorabilia.

I was able to do my debut headline at Headrow House and did another headline show at Hyde Park Book Club too.

Rolfe backstage ahead of her Piece Hall supporting slot and the singer pictured underneath The Domino Club neon sign / Credit: Supplied
Rolfe backstage ahead of her Piece Hall supporting slot and the singer pictured underneath The Domino Club neon sign / Credit: Supplied
Rolfe backstage ahead of her Piece Hall supporting slot and the singer pictured underneath The Domino Club neon sign / Credit: Supplied

What does being an artist in the North feel like for you?

Anything is possible. There's something about the North that is so welcoming and it has helped me become my true self as an artist, performing for northern crowds.

I feel so inspired by artists from here and everyone northern as they all have this determination which is so nice to see, watching people chase their dreams.

And finally now we've learnt more about you, who are some Northern artists you love and want to show off?

Lois. She's incredible and has announced a listening party for her new album later this month.

Also The Wranglers, a country group who I got the opportunity to support at their recent gig at Oporto in Leeds. They just make you want to get up and dance.

Read more: You can watch The Devil Wears Prada 2 for FREE across Leeds

Thank you Holly for letting us learn a little bit more about your artistry, we're sure that you're on track to claiming your pop princess crown in years to come.

Featured Images - Artist supplied / The Manc Group

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