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Inside Target darts' pop-up shop launch as stars take over Manchester city centre

EXCLUSIVE Darts has been on the rise over the past couple of years - and it took its next step last week with the launch of Target's pop-up store in Manchester city centre

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Target launched their pop-up last week

Luke Littler took a second to ponder when asked about darts' rapid rise in a dimly lit restaurant in Spinningfields, Manchester.

I know myself, Ive changed the sport in many ways, he told Daily Star Sport. But for Target this is probably one of the biggest things theyve done.

Just a stone's throw away, hundreds of darts fans had gathered on a street corner for the opening of Target's pop-up shop. Littler had joined the celebrations alongside a constellation of darts stars - but the honour of cutting the ribbon went to Phil Taylor.

Instead he waved and smiled alongside the likes of Adrian Lewis, Stephen Bunting and Rob Cross before being whisked away to speak to the press.

"I know the work that everyone at Target has put into this...Itll help to expand the sport and itll expand us as players!

[Luke Littler was in attendance]

Luke Littler was in attendance

"Its brilliant what theyve done, theyve put the work in. Hopefully the fans are happy with the product because Ive not seen anything yet!"

Darts was already enjoying a surge in popularity, moving from Britains pubs into the global spotlight, but Littler has added a sprinkle of superstardom the sport has never seen.

Now the reigning World Champion, hes become the poster boy - and the main draw for the fans queueing outside for their first look at Targets new products.

[Luke Littler spoke about the rise of the sport to Daily Star Sport]

Luke Littler spoke about the rise of the sport to Daily Star Sport

The site had previously been home to the Oasis store, as the Gallagher brothers reunited for a series of shows across the UK - but Target's store was never just meant to be a store.

They've branded it an experience: there are five Omni lanes "featuring fast auto-scoring, detailed performance tracking and next-level gameplay," plus the promise of stars "dropping in throughout the pop-ups duration."

Littler wasn't the only star impressed with the scale of the launch.

[Hundreds of fans were there for the launch]

Hundreds of fans were there for the launch

"It's huge. Obviously, centre of Manchester, you see the buzz around the building already," Bunting added.

"Big decor on the front of it as well - it just stands out, doesnt it? Target just keep raising the bar with their launches, the products they bring out. Yeah, it's fantastic to be a part of that!"

Then, with a grin, he added: "I made sure I wore my Liverpool jacket today."

[Phil Taylor opened the pop-up store]

Phil Taylor opened the pop-up store

Josh Rock echoed the sentiment: "I think it's amazing...It's fantastic, I think Target is the only company that keeps on doing stuff like this and getting all the players together."

But for local lad Nathan Aspinall, the launch had an extra edge. Raised in nearby Stockport, he admitted the Manchester setting meant a lot.

"Being a Manc myself, I was buzzing when I found out it was going to be in Manchester," he said. "Great venue, great location, the inside is amazing!"

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He continued: "The size of it, the centre of Manchester, the fact they know it's going to be succesful...

"I remember the first one I did, I've been with Target for seven years, it was tiny - that's huge. It's shown how far darts has come over the past seven years."

Darts' pub game roots are still there, but the new flashy side of the sport is here to stay.

World-leading darts manufacturer Target Darts opened the UKs ultimate darting pop-up experience in Manchester to celebrate their biggest-ever product launch. For more details on the latest darts products, please visit: www.target-darts.co.uk

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