Cheetham Hill in Manchester has become a major vape wholesale hub, with 54 shops concentrated on Harris Street and Overbridge Road. The rapid growth has prompted concern among some residents and businesses, who question why so many similar outlets are needed and fear links to illicit trade, although the article does not establish wrongdoing by individual shops.

The area previously hosted counterfeit-clothing businesses until Greater Manchester Police’s Operation Vulcan crackdown, which closed 216 shops, made 238 arrests and seized nearly 1,050 tonnes of counterfeit goods, more than £500,000 in cash and almost 400,000 illegal vapes. Around 30 vape shops are on Harris Street and 24 on Overbridge Road; many operate as wholesalers supplying retailers across Britain, with products often manufactured in China. Police have said legitimate vape products can carry substantial mark-ups, while illegal products may be even more profitable.