Vape vending machines have become an increasingly valuable addition to busy hospitality venues, offering customers a convenient, compliant and fully automated way to access regulated vaping products. This case study explores how Vape Bot vape vending machines were installed permanently at The Flute, a Star Pubs venue on Hardman Street in Liverpool city centre. The installation has delivered lasting improvements for both customers and staff, supported by powerful behavioural insights captured through The Bridge.
The Flute occupies a prime position between Liverpool’s university district and the Ropewalks nightlife area. Its customer base includes students, office workers, sports fans, and late-night visitors. The pub experiences very high footfall, especially during weekends and event nights. With customers frequently asking staff where they could buy disposable vapes or nicotine pouches, the venue faced repeated interruptions that slowed down service during key trading hours. Many customers left the premises to look for a vape shop nearby, sometimes not returning, and this created unnecessary congestion at the pub entrance.
The problem
Before introducing vape vending machines, staff at The Flute were approached several times an hour by customers trying to find vaping products. Because of licensing rules, the pub could not sell these items directly. Customers leaving the venue to hunt for a vape often caused bottlenecks at the doorway and occasionally frustrated queues at the bar. The team needed a way to reduce these interruptions without compromising compliance or diverting staff attention.
The landlord also noted a growing pattern of customers standing outside while using delivery apps to order vapes. This created noise, clustering, and avoidable disruption. A controlled, on-site solution was needed — one that would satisfy demand, protect staff time, and remove the frustration customers experienced when they could not find a nearby retailer.
Any solution had to meet UK regulatory requirements, including age verification and proper product presentation. Traditional vending machines could not offer the level of control or compliance needed. Vape vending machines, however, provided a modern, secure and automated alternative aligned with UK guidance at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/e-cigarettes-regulations-for-consumer-products.
What we installed: vape vending machines with full data integration
Two Vape Bot vape vending machines were installed as a permanent feature of the venue: one positioned near the main entrance and another beside the gaming area. Their placement allowed clear visibility without obstructing customer movement. Each Vape Bot machine offered disposable vapes, nicotine pouches, and emergency device chargers.
Integrated age verification technology ensured that every purchase met regulatory requirements. Customers simply approached the machine, passed verification, selected their product, and paid using contactless card methods. This process removed all responsibility from staff and prevented underage access.
Every interaction was captured automatically through The Bridge. This provided venue management with detailed behavioural insights, including purchase times, product preferences, verification outcomes, and stock usage trends. The data created a clearer picture of customer demand, helping operators plan stock levels and understand how vaping behaviour aligned with different trading periods across the week. Industry-aligned guidance from the British Retail Consortium at https://www.brc.org.uk supported the venue’s strategy of deploying automated, compliant customer-facing technology.
The results: long-term improvements across the venue
Since installation, Vape Bot vape vending machines have provided consistent, measurable benefits. Customer interruptions dropped immediately, particularly during peak weekend hours when staff were previously overwhelmed by repeated requests for directions to vape retailers. By providing an on-site, self-service solution, customers remained inside the venue rather than leaving and contributing to doorway congestion.
Data from The Bridge shows steady usage throughout the week, with prominent evening spikes from 8 pm onward. Disposable vapes remain the most purchased products, while nicotine pouches continue to grow in popularity. The Bridge also identified that a significant proportion of purchases take place during the busiest bar periods, demonstrating how vape vending machines absorb demand without increasing staff strain.
Compliance performance has been flawless. The Vape Bot system successfully verifies age in every transaction, removing any risk associated with manual judgment at the bar. Staff no longer need to answer routine questions or provide guidance, allowing them to focus on delivering strong service.
The insights gathered through The Bridge have helped management understand demand patterns and adjust stock planning accordingly. Vape vending machines have proven that automated, compliant vending can integrate seamlessly into a high-traffic hospitality venue, improving customer experience and supporting long-term operational efficiency.
