The full story and the true motivation behind the early November morning police raid at Cardwell Street last year by a force of more than 100 officers - enough manpower to deal with a major terrorist threat - has yet to be revealed. But some clues emerged after a second police swoop (May, 2007) and a Channel 4 documentary, aired a few days later (May 28th), that highlighted some of the lengths that Vance Miller will go to so that his business can keep running. Cameras followed the unstoppable Oldham entrepreneur from Maple Mill and two other British businessmen on a journey to China, where some of the biggest savings are made by sourcing materials at local prices, in areas where European visitors are hardly ever seen. Alastair Cook, the Director of Channel 4's 'Brits Get Rich in China', has responded to the persistent mis-reporting that continues to appear in newspapers in spite of his revealing TV documentaries about Vance Miller. His letter can be seen here.
In the July/August issue of Real Business, an interview with Vance Miller explained some of the behind-the-scenes machinations that lead to the unwarranted 'fishing expeditions' by police and the accompanying leaks of misinformation to the press that seek to justify them.
After the latest police intervention, the controversial kitchen maker staged a dramatic escape from custody at his Maple Mill headquarters in Cardwell Street and fled the country. Later (May 29th), he issued a statement to explain his disappearance.
Real Business (July/August 2007 Issue) The full Vance Miller story =>
Trading Standards admit they got it wrong =>