Smarter Choices. Better Living.
Vapour Central has grown from a side project delivering locally around Southend, into an independent vape and lifestyle retailer with three high-street stores and an established online presence. This is how we got here.
Vapour Central started in June 2014 as a sole trader business in Hadleigh, Essex, with one clear aim: to give smokers decent alternatives and straightforward advice.
In the early days, most customers were friends, family and work contacts. Orders were handled in spare time and delivered locally. It was small, personal and built almost entirely through word of mouth.
Vapour Central Ltd was incorporated on 29 July 2016, and the first dedicated store opened shortly afterwards on St Helens Road in Westcliff-on-Sea.
At the time, it was the only dedicated vape shop in the immediate area and the only one locally staying open later than 5:30pm. It quickly became a regular stop for local vapers and smokers looking to switch.
From the beginning, the aim was to help beginners, taking the time to explain products properly rather than simply pushing whatever happened to be on promotion.
Early 2017 saw the Westcliff shop move to a more prominent position on Hamlet Court Road. The larger, more visible High Street unit increased footfall and gave us room to offer a much broader selection of hardware and e-liquid.
Later that year, Vapour Central hosted its first vape night: an informal after-hours event with social time, the Riot E-Liquid team, offers and giveaways that brought members of the local vaping community together.
Between 2017 and 2020, Friday and Saturday opening hours were extended to 7pm, maintaining Vapour Central’s position as a useful late opening option on the local high street.
By 2018, Vapour Central had grown enough to open seven days a week. This made the store more accessible to people working irregular hours or unable to visit during the traditional working week.
We also extended the warranty offered on much of our hardware to six months, providing a level of after-sales protection that was uncommon among local competitors at the time.
That same year, Vapour Central began delivering structured support through Southend’s local Smoke Free service. Staff completed specialist training as Stop Smoking Advisers, helping people move away from cigarettes through funded quit programmes.
The Westcliff shopfront was refreshed with updated branding, giving the store a cleaner and more modern appearance.
Our original paper loyalty cards were also replaced with a digital loyalty system, making it easier for regular customers to earn and keep track of their rewards.
When the COVID-19 pandemic arrived, Vapour Central had to adapt quickly. For a period, the business moved to a delivery-only model so regular customers could continue accessing essential vape supplies while restrictions were in place.
During the same year, we launched our own Vapers Choice range, became a Vaporesso Super Powershop and introduced Klarna online and in store.
Vapour Central expanded its recycling work during 2021, collecting used vape devices in store and helping customers dispose of their battery-powered products and disposable vapes responsibly.
April 2021 also saw the opening of our Leigh-on-Sea store. The second location brought the same product range, practical support and straightforward advice to customers in Leigh and the surrounding area.
In 2023, the loyalty scheme was updated again with more flexible rewards and offers for regular customers. Vapour Central also became an official retail partner for brands including OXVA, Elf Bar and Lost Mary.
The online shop was temporarily closed while we redeveloped the digital side of the business.
Towards the end of the year, the Westcliff store received a full internal refit. The layout, fixtures and displays were modernised to make the shop easier to browse and more welcoming for new and existing customers.
In 2024, Vapour Central opened its third store in Rayleigh. The new location brought our specialist range and support to customers from Rayleigh, Hullbridge, Wickford and the surrounding area.
Our original contract to provide in-store support through Southend’s Smoke Free service ended on 31 August 2024 after six years of helping local people move away from smoking.
From September 2024, Vapour Central began working with Everyone Health as a subcontracted stop-smoking provider, beginning a new chapter for our trained support service.
Expansion into Shoeburyness was also explored during 2024 but did not proceed. Although that particular location was not right for the business, considering it reflected our continued ambition to reach new communities.
April 2025 marked the launch of a completely rebuilt Vapour Central website. The new platform made it easier to browse, compare products and order online while continuing to support the physical stores in Westcliff, Leigh and Rayleigh.
As vaping regulations and customer needs continued to change, Vapour Central began developing into a broader vape and lifestyle retailer rather than relying entirely on the traditional vape-shop model.
Vapes and e-liquids remain the backbone of the business, but our developing range also includes:
This direction is reflected in our slogan, “Smarter Choices. Better Living.”, and our description of Vapour Central as “Your Local Vape & Lifestyle Store.”
The aim is not to chase every passing trend. It is to give adult customers a wider choice, provide clear information and keep adapting responsibly as the market changes.
More than a decade after it began, Vapour Central operates three high-street stores across Essex alongside an online shop that supports, rather than replaces, our physical locations.
Over that time, Vapour Central has become a familiar and trusted name for many adult smokers and vapers across South Essex. The business has grown, the market has changed and the product range continues to develop, but the basic approach remains the same: honest advice, sensible options and proper support.
Whether someone visits Westcliff, Leigh-on-Sea, Rayleigh or orders online, the aim is to provide the same straightforward experience, no pressure or overblown claims, just practical help finding something suitable.
Vapour Central began in Hadleigh, Essex, in June 2014 as a small sole trader business. Vapour Central Ltd was incorporated in July 2016, shortly before the first dedicated shop opened in Westcliff-on-Sea.
Yes. Vapour Central remains independently owned and operates three Essex stores in Westcliff-on-Sea, Leigh-on-Sea and Rayleigh, alongside its UK online shop.
Vaping remains Vapour Central’s main specialism, but the range is broadening to include other smoke-free nicotine options, functional drinks, nootropics and selected lifestyle products for adult customers.
Learn more about who we are today, visit one of our Essex stores or explore the stop-smoking support available through our trained team.
Our vaping and nicotine products are intended for adult smokers and existing nicotine users aged 18 or over.