Behind the once-notorious facade of Manchester's Cheetham Hill, a transformation is underway. The streets that were once synonymous with counterfeit goods and illicit trade are now teeming with 51 vape shops, earning the area the dubious title of 'Britain's vape capital'. Harris Street and Overbridge Road, the epicentre of this shift, have become the largest market for vaping products in Europe, according to Kamran Akhtar, manager at The Vape Boyz. Customers travel from as far afield as Glasgow and Edinburgh to purchase wholesale goods, while local traders report improved safety compared to the previous era.
The transformation is a direct result of Operation Vulcan, a two-year police initiative that targeted the area's extensive trade in fake goods and drug dealing. The operation concluded in 2024, yielding nearly 240 arrests and the seizure of over 1,050 tonnes of counterfeit items and nearly 400,000 illicit vapes. The crackdown also led to a reduction in violent crime, vehicle crime, and theft from person, with police reporting that drug dealing had become less overt.
Kamran Akhtar's shop is one of many on Harris Street that now dominate the area, offering an assortment of vaping products to customers. However, not everyone is pleased with the concentration of vape shops. Local resident Mason Robinson described it as 'crazy' and 'shocking', questioning the necessity for so many stores in such a small area. While acknowledging an improvement in safety, Robinson noted that the area still has its fair share of problems.
Concerns have been raised about the potential risks associated with vaping, particularly among children and young adults. The emergence of these 'vape supermarkets' near Strangeways prison has also sparked debate over the suitability of such businesses operating in close proximity to a penal institution. Communities minister Steve Reed described the sheer number of vape shops on one street as 'absolutely bizarre', highlighting the need for a more diverse range of businesses to attract people to high streets.
Janice Hughes, a mother of two who lives nearby, expressed concerns that the counterfeit trade might have been replaced by a 'shady' vape market. While local traders report improved safety compared to the previous era, some residents remain wary of the area's reputation for illicit activity. The future of Cheetham Hill as Britain's vape capital remains uncertain, but one thing is clear – the area will never be seen in the same light as it once was.