In this article...
June marks the Queen's Platinum Jubilee, and what a Totally Wicked jubilee it’s going to be! This long weekend will mark 70 years of service for our beloved Majesty. We are sure the country will come alive with patriotism and pride as we spend 4 days celebrating. With the theme of reflection, we've decided to look back at our very own Totally Wicked British history. Let’s start with our humble beginnings back in 2008.
One of the founding British vaping businesses
Totally Wicked began in 2008 from the mind of our founder Jason Cropper. Jason became aware of a brand-new product idea, the electronic cigarette, whilst studying at the University of Central Lancashire. He was a long-term smoker himself at the time. Because of this he saw huge potential for this emerging technology to empower smokers to change their lives. Jason went on to form a long-standing relationship with a budding new company, Joyetech. As a result of this partnership, the innovation of vaping truly began.
Jason was determined to promote vaping as a safer alternative to smoking. Because of this he wanted to establish a company that was full of character and dedicated to this cause. With the creation of our business also came the creation of our mission statement. This wasn’t just corporate fluff. Our stores still proudly display our mission statement to this day. It is a simple set of promises that we live by. Providing only the highest quality products, exceptional service and “doing the right thing” are at the heart of all we do. The creation of Totally Wicked also saw the creation of the (in)famous Mr Wicked. He wasn't just a logo, but a personality and embodiment of our beliefs.
Totally Wicked took root in Blackburn, in an old mill. It’s just a mile or so from where our Stancliffe Street store and headquarters stand now, but we very quickly outgrew our first home.
In 2011, Jason’s brother, Fraser, joined the business and together the Cropper brothers continued the crusade to empower smokers with an alternative.
Leading British Vape Retailer
Fast forward to 2022, and we have over 150 dedicated stores in total across the UK. Totally Wicked remains a proudly British institution.
We manufacture all of our UK-made e-liquid in our own facility here in Blackburn. All our e- liquids are all manufactured to the highest UK standards, using pharmaceutical grade ingredients. Our rigorous testing and quality procedures mean we only sell the best that can be achieved.
We’re more than just a vape shop though. Empowering smokers is still at the core of everything we do. All our team complete specialist training with the National Centre for Smoking Cessation Training (NCSCT). That means we’re here for you, whatever stage of your journey to quitting smoking you’re at.
Independent British Vape Trade Association
In 2016, Totally Wicked was a founding member of the Independent British Vape Trade Association (IBVTA). Our own CEO, Marcus Saxton, and our Technical Director, Liam Humberstone, both sit on the IBVTA’s board. The IBVTA is a non-profit organisation that helps to support the independent vape industry in the UK. They represent all responsible and ethical independent vaping businesses in the UK. Importantly, IBVTA members commit to never being under any influence or control from the tobacco industry. The IBVTA supports the British Vape Trade with everything from helping to shape the laws and regulations surrounding vaping, to fighting for vapers rights in parliament.
Putting British e-liquid back into disposables
As many of us will have seen, disposables have become incredibly popular over the last 12 months. There’s no ignoring these sweet-tasting highly flavoured vapes. For many young adults, using disposables has quickly become a healthier alternative to a previous ‘social smoking’ habit. For this reason alone, they certainly play a valuable role in helping people to avoid smoking. In 2021 Totally Wicked set out to create our own range of highly flavoured disposables, with some key differences.
The VLTZ range captures the same intense flavours of disposable that you know and love, but filled with our own quality British manufactured e-liquid. This means that you always know exactly what you are vaping, and that it has been made to the same high standards we’ve maintained since we set out in 2008. Better than that, you can have it in a disposable, or in a 10ml bottle. In the near future we will even have a third option for VLTZ, so keep your eyes peeled.
British Flavours to celebrate a British Milestone
Many of us will no doubt be celebrating the Jubilee with parties and celebrations across the country this weekend. Because of this it's a good idea to make sure that you're stocked up on all of your vaping essentials. Don’t panic though, most of our stores will be open from 10am-4pm across the bank holiday. With that in mind here are some truly British flavours from our best of British ranges of e-liquid.
Red Label - Eton Mess
What a British dessert! And what a brilliant e-liquid. Succulent strawberries, mouth-watering meringue and sweet cream. This liquid really does scream British summer!
Red Label - Pear Drop
Whether pink ones and yellow ones or half and half, pear drops are a proper British sweetie. Available at any old-fashioned sweet shop worth their salt, these lovely little sweets are a nostalgic treat for many.
Red Label - Sherbet Lemon
Staying in the nostalgic sweet shop of our youths, we have our sherbet lemon liquid. A delightful mix of tangy and sweet, this liquid is sure to go down a treat.
Symphonic - Glazed Lemon Tart
Keeping with the theme of lemons, but switching it up to a lovely dessert. Glazed lemon tart has the zingy lemon punch, but combines it with a dreamy pastry flavour. This liquid is one of my personal favourites!
Red Label - Strawberry Jam
Jam is a lovely treat that is enjoyed across Britain. What could be more British that scones topped with clotted cream and Strawberry Jam? Our Strawberry Jam liquid is a sweet strawberry taste that's sure to delight.
And that’s our proud British history. What will you do for the Jubilee weekend? Let us know on our social media pages and remember to have a Totally Wicked jubilee!
