Tullamore gets its 17th Vape Shop

Paul McRingo | Hurling Correspondent

The people of Tullamore in Co. Offaly woke up this morning to find that they had gained yet another vape shop, bringing the total number in the midlands town to 17.

The new establishment, named Vapes ‘n’ Stuff, opened its doors on a street already containing 5 vape shops, 9 Turkish barbers and 27 phone repair shops.

Owner Omar Ibrahim told us he’s not worried about the other 16 vape shops in the town.

“Only 16? That’s crazy. There’s clearly a huge gap in the market here. I counted at least 20 businessess on this street alone that aren’t vape shops. And I’m told this town has 15 pubs still in operation. Hopefully they’ll all soon be closed down and turned into vape shops.”

Across Ireland around 200 new vape shops open every week, frequently in a building formerly occupied by a family-run business.

Vapes ‘n’ Stuff has taken over a premises that was until recently a popular butchers that survived for three generations of the same Tullamore family before being defeated by an unexplained decline in the demand for bacon.

Offaly County Council is coming under pressure from local people to limit the number of vape shops in Tullamore and are understood to be considering a new zoning plan.

Under the proposed guidelines, any new vape shop would be required to locate at least 15 metres away from an existing vape shop, unless the applicant can demonstrate that the new vape shop offers a flavour not available in the other vape shop.

Unfortunately while you were reading this article Tullamore got its 18th Vape Shop.