Britain's unofficial 'vape capital' has emerged in a Manchester neighbourhood where more than fifty e-cigarette shops now dominate two central streets, marking a dramatic transformation from the area's previous reputation as Europe's counterfeit clothing hub.
The Rise of a Vape Paradise
Since the early 2010s, thousands of vape shops have appeared across the United Kingdom, but nowhere has experienced such concentrated growth as Cheetham Hill in Manchester. This inner-city neighbourhood now hosts fifty-four dedicated vape retailers along just two roads: Harris Street and Overbridge Road.
On Harris Street alone, at least thirty vape establishments line the pavement, while neighbouring Overbridge Road contains another twenty-four shops. This clustering has effectively transformed the area into what some describe as an 'e-cigarette smokers' paradise,' particularly following the dismantling of its previous illicit trade networks.
From Counterfeit Capital to Vape Hub
Cheetham Hill was once notoriously known as the 'counterfeit capital of Europe,' with numerous shops selling fake designer goods operating openly. This changed dramatically in 2022 when Greater Manchester Police launched 'Operation Vulcan' to tackle organised crime in the neighbourhood.
The operation resulted in staggering seizures: almost 1,050 tonnes of counterfeit items, the closure of 216 counterfeit shops, 238 arrests, over £500,000 in confiscated cash, 2.4 million class C drugs, and nearly 400,000 illicit vapes removed from circulation.
Local Concerns and Business Perspectives
Many local residents have expressed dismay at the sudden proliferation of vape shops, with some questioning the legitimacy of so many similar businesses operating in such close proximity. One concerned local remarked, 'How can all these be legitimate businesses? I wonder what could possibly be going on. I think it's money laundering.'
Another added more cynically, 'Cleaned money is taxed money, the government are happy to get their share, so they aren't going to stop it any time ever.'
However, current shop owners present a different narrative. Kamran Akhtar, 48-year-old manager at The Vape Boyz on Harris Street, explained, 'People think there is illicit stuff going on around because of Cheetham Hill's 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.'
The Business Reality Behind the Numbers
Akhtar provided insight into the economic factors driving this concentration: 'The main reason why there are so many is since Operation Vulcan, I'd say around 30% of counterfeit goods shops closed, and vape shops popped up in their place. Then more and more came along, replacing the counterfeit trade.'
He emphasized the wholesale nature of most operations: '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.'
According to Akhtar, retailers from Scotland, Wales, London, Bristol, and Yorkshire regularly travel to Manchester to purchase vapes in bulk, making Cheetham Hill a national distribution hub for e-cigarette products.
Safety Improvements and Official Response
Despite local concerns, Akhtar argues the area has actually become safer: 'I understand 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 acknowledged the explosion of vape shops in Cheetham Hill but stated they currently have no specific concerns about the businesses operating there. The transformation from counterfeit haven to vape wholesale district represents one of Manchester's most dramatic commercial shifts in recent years, creating what appears to be Britain's most concentrated e-cigarette retail zone.
