Manchester Residents Fume Over 'Spaceship' Vape Shop's Neon Signs
Residents of Manchester's trendy Northern Quarter have expressed outrage over a new vape shop that they describe as looking like a "space ship" that has landed in their neighbourhood. The MCR-1 store, which opened last week following the closure of The Milano Barbershop, features luminous yellow branding atop a matching honeycomb design, with locals branding its "ugly neon signs" as completely out of keeping with the area's distinctive style.
Local Backlash and Complaints
Fiona Moinuddin, a 55-year-old resident, articulated the concerns of many, stating: "I have this great belief that you look after your own street scene and neck of the woods. I'm not against the shop being there as in fact its location is useful, but it just doesn't keep with the area. Manchester's Northern Quarter is a cool place and it has built itself up over the years. But once you get one shop that decides to have the glaring lights pop and the whole street scene changes before you know it."
Another local was more blunt, demanding: "Remove it, simple. It doesn't fit in." Further complaints included descriptions of the shop as literally resembling a landed spaceship, with one resident remarking: "They're everywhere now. Ugly neon signs for vape shops and barbers. It's about time our councils cracked down on them."
Planning Regulations and Council Response
Despite the shop's opening, its owners have yet to submit a planning application, according to Manchester City Council's planning portal. Planning consent is required for advertisements larger than 0.3 square metres or if any part of the design is illuminated, as per PlanningPortal guidelines. Residents report that a council enforcement officer has already visited the premises in the Stevenson Square Conservation Area.
A spokesperson for Manchester City Council confirmed: "The Council is aware of complaints that have been made in relation to this premises in the Stevenson Square Conservation Area, and investigations are under way to establish if any regulations have been breached in relation to the illuminated signage and display of advertisements. However, as this is an active and ongoing investigation the Council cannot go into further detail at this stage." The shop owner has been approached for comment.
Broader Context of Vaping in the UK
The controversy emerges against a backdrop of significant growth in the vaping industry. Approximately 5.6 million adults vaped in the United Kingdom last year, equating to roughly 11 percent of the adult population, with the industry now valued at around £3 billion to the economy. The popularity of cigarette smoking has declined considerably over the past decade due to awareness of tobacco's harmful effects, with e-cigarettes serving as a substitute.
Statistics from the Office for National Statistics in November 2025 indicate that more individuals over 16 now use vapes than smoke traditional cigarettes. Smoking remains responsible for approximately 70,000 deaths annually in Britain, making it the leading cause of preventable death in the UK.
The dispute in Manchester highlights ongoing tensions between commercial development and community aesthetics, particularly in conservation areas where residents are vigilant about preserving local character.
