Britain’s ‘vape capital’ has more than 50 shops lining two streets

Britain’s ‘vape capital’ has more than 50 e-cigarette shops lining two streets in a Manchester neighbourhood.

Since the early 2010s, thousands of vape shops have popped up across the UK, but nowhere seems to have been affected more than Cheetham Hill, in Manchester, where 54 vape shops line two roads of its inner-city neighbourhood.

On Harris Street, at least 30 skirt the pavement, and on the neighbouring street, Overbridge Road, sit another 24 more.

The area is believed to have been transformed into an ‘e-cigarette smokers’ paradise after its previous counterfeit clothing trade scene was stamped out by police.

Many locals have expressed their dismay at the vape shop explosion, with many questioning the legitimacy of the businesses.

One said, ‘How can all these be legitimate businesses? I wonder what could possibly be going on. I think it’s money laundering.’

Another added: ‘Cleaned money is taxed money, the government are happy to get their share, so they aren’t going to stop it any time ever.’

Cheetham Hill, which was once a bustling city suburb, became known as the ‘counterfeit capital of Europe’ as several shops selling fake designer goods opened in the area.

In 2022, Greater Manchester Police (GMP) launched ‘Operation Vulcan’ to tackle organised crime in the neighbourhoods.

They seized almost 1050 tonnes of counterfeit items, shut down 216 counterfeit shops, made 238 arrests, seized over £500,000 cash, 2.4 million class C drugs, and almost 400,000 illicit vapes.

And according to current shop owners, nothing amiss is going on.

Kamran Akhtar, 48, manager at The Vape Boyz on Harris Street, said: ‘People think there is illicit stuff going on around because of Cheetham Hills past here, but there really isn’t.

‘There are only vape shops selling vapes legally to corner shops, and retailers across the country, that’s it.’

He added: ‘The main reason why there are so many is since Operation Vulcan, I’d say around 30% of of counterfeit goods shops closed, and vape shops popped up in their place.

‘Then more and more came along, replacing the counterfeit trade. We have been here since 2013, and there have never been so many. Most of the shops here are wholesale, selling all across the country; it’s rare for anyone to sell single devices.’

Akhtar said retailers from Scotland, Wales, London, Bristol and Yorkshire come to Manchester to buy vapes.

He said he understands the negative reaction from locals, but says if anything, the area has become safer with the lack of counterfeit shops.

Manchester’s trading standards team have said they are aware of the explosion of vape shapes in the area but say they do not have concerns.

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