A woman that featured in a video produced by the viral TikTok convenience store Wakey Wines has shared the truth about her experience appearing on the social media page. Lauren Abigail, 20, told Leeds Live she visited the shop on Thursday January 10 after hearing "the hype" about the shop.
The off-license store in Wakefield gained over 500,000 followers on TikTok after claiming to sell Logan Paul and KSI's Prime energy drink at extortionate prices, which has prompted the shop to gain polarising opinions. Customers have travelled from across the country to buy the popular drink, with one woman spending £1,200 on it.
Many customers travel to the shop as Prime bottles sell out quickly at supermarkets for around £2 a bottle. Wakey Wines high price for the product has prompted many criticize the store for overcharging.
Lauren said she was "shocked" to discover what happens inside the popular shop. Lauren said: "If I'm honest, I went to visit the shop because I had seen it on social media. I knew it had blown up and I was unsure of what I thought about the shop and Mr Nazir, so I wanted to see it for myself."
She travelled nearly 40 miles to buy the popular 'WFD Sweets' being sold at Wakey Wines. Lauren said she texted owner Mohammed Azar Nazir when she was heading to the shop, with the pair meeting outside the entrance upon her arrival.
Lauren said: "He was outside when I got there and we gave each other a hug before going in. I had a look around for ages at the products and we were talking. He told me he was coming to Sheffield sometime, which is near me, and putting his sweets in a venue there too."
She said the shop is "long but not very wide" and said there was a lot of international products on the shelves which you wouldn't typically see in a UK off-licence. "It is very busy when you go in," she said.
Nazir's videos show the customers conversing with him about what they had bought, before getting them to join in which his catchphrase: "What’s the best shop in Wakey? Wakey Wines", “Abdul, come closer, Abdul, go back," and "Bingo bingo, Gala bingo". Lauren's video with the shopkeeper got over 50,000 views.
She explained the video set up is "staged". She said: "It was completely different to how I thought and it was staged. The owner will put you in exactly the position he wants you to stand for the video and he tells you a script. He doesn't like anyone going in and taking videos without permission."
Lauren was subject to a lot of backlash after shouting out her girlfriend who is in prison. During the video, Mohammed asked: "What made you come to the famous shop Wakey Wines?" "To get boss man's WFD Sweets," she replies.
Mr Nazir then asks her: "What's the best shop in Wakefield?" "Wakey Wines," Lauren shouts back. She then said: "Massive shout out to everyone in Creswell and my girlfriend in HMP."
Lauren said her shout-out to her girlfriend was a last moment decision, and that she found it funny. She said: "I never expected it to blow up like it did. The comments go over my head."
"People are taking their kids but the Prime drinks aren't for kids, so it's just silly for everyone to bring them. He isn't forcing people to buy the products, it is a trend.
"He is getting so much hate. In my opinion he’s a good businessman and I fully support him." Lauren said she wouldn't return to the shop again, however. "Once you've been, you've been," she admitted.
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