The billboards extend as far as the eye can see, each one a garish blend of bright colours and bold font slogans.
‘Big Puffs, Big Savings,’ reads one. ‘40 Flavours of Nicotine Salts,’ claims another. ‘Premium Nic Salt. Stronger, Smoother. Faster Absorption And More Puffs!’
It doesn’t take long to work out why this eerily quiet suburb in north Manchester has been dubbed the ‘vape capital of Britain’. For across just two streets of Cheetham Hill, there are no fewer than 54 vape businesses selling wholesale products to corner shops and high street retailers as far away as Glasgow, Birmingham and even the South West.
Pop into Dreamchasers, Xhale or Blue Horse and a whole world of electronically administered nicotine opens up. There is, quite literally, everything vape-related on sale here, from pre-filled ‘pod vapes’ to enormous refillable devices, chargers, mouthpieces and, of course, thousands of flavours of synthetic e-juice including Cherry Ice, Watermelon, Fresh Mint and Blue Razz Lemonade.
Thirty of the businesses are on the 130 metre-long Harris Street. On the adjoining Overbridge Road are a further 24 vape stores along a 300-metre stretch.
