Viral off-licence Wakey Wines has had its account reinstated after being banned from TikTok.
The account, which was advertising Prime drinks for up to £100 each, was wrongly removed for violating guidelines but has now been restored.
Wakefield Wines, an off-licence in Wakefield, West Yorkshire, gained more than 500,000 followers on TikTok after going viral for claiming to sell Logan Paul and KSI’s drink at extortionate prices.
Shop owner Mohammed Azar Nazir shares videos featuring his customers, who join in with his catchphrases: “What’s the best shop in Wakey? Wakey Wines”, “Abdul, come closer, Abdul, go back,” and “Bingo bingo, Gala bingo”.
His customers reportedly travel hundreds of miles to get their hands on the Prime drink, which quickly sells out at supermarkets where it costs around £2 a bottle. The off-licence is also famous for selling its WFD Sweets.
But Nazir’s TikTok success hung in the balance on Monday, January 9, as Wakey Wines’ account was banned from the social media platform. Nazir confirmed the ban on Sunday, January 8.
“Hi guys today there is a well known influencer trying to tarnish my business I have been building up for years,” a statement from Wakey Wines posted to Instagram read.
“I have now been banned off TikTok at 500k [followers], I’ve been working so hard for this.”
He added: “All of my videos are all for fun, I saw a business idea with WFD sweets just like any other businessman and I took the opportunity.
“Some jealous horrible people. Please report these posts and help me! Thank you to my fans always, Wakey Wines.”
However, the account was reinstated on Monday. A TikTok spokesperson said: “We are open about the fact that we don’t get every moderation decision right and have reinstated the Wakey Wines account. We hope they continue to use TikTok to promote their business.”
The shop has been criticised for selling the Prime drinks way beyond their recommended retail price.
Nazir maintains that the shops’ markup is small, and that he pays an “arm and a leg” to his supplier.
KSI, who founded Prime drink alongside YouTuber Logan Paul, told fans: “No, do not pay that much for Prime. I know people want Prime, okay, just wait or camp out Asda nice and early, get in Asda nice and early and pay £2, okay, £2 for Prime.”
However, some social media users have speculated that Wakey Wines isn’t really selling bottles of Prime for £100, and that it is purely a marketing stunt.
In a video celebrating his return to the platform, Nazir thanked his supporters for helping him get the account “back up and running,” and also used the moment to promote his WFD sweets.
