The Manchester area with 51 vape shops on two streets – and the UK’s plan to fix it
Key Points
- Communities Secretary Steve Reed announced new council powers on 21 May 2026 to restrict vape shops, seize empty high street units and reuse the space for services or local businesses.
- One area of Manchester hosts 51 vape shops across two streets, cited by the department as evidence of saturation councils currently cannot address.
- The measures form part of a Neighbourhood Guarantee package setting minimum standards for streets, potholes and core public services.
- Wider package includes legislated powers for a profit cap on private children's social care providers and a transfer of Transport and Works Act Order powers to mayors.
- Residents can track delivery in their area through new data on the Local Outcomes Framework platform.
Councils will gain powers to refuse new vape shops, after Communities Secretary Steve Reed flagged 51 outlets across two Manchester streets.
The restriction tools form part of a Neighbourhood Guarantee package the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government set out on Thursday (21 May), promising minimum standards for cleaner streets, filled potholes and core public services in every neighbourhood across England.
In one instance, the department highlighted, an unnamed area of Manchester now hosts 51 vape shops within two adjacent streets, a clustering the government describes as far beyond any plausible local demand.
Local councillors want to take action but currently lack the powers to refuse new openings, prompting ministers to legislate fresh controls.
Under the changes, councils will gain authority to limit the spread of certain shops on the high street, take over persistently empty units, and reuse those spaces for services, activities or local businesses.
The package builds on Gambling Impact Assessments already in force, which let councils cap the number of betting shops and adult gaming centres in their areas.
“People want to live in neighbourhoods where streets are clean and safe, the high street is vibrant, and core public services are available. But too often this isn’t what happens,” said Reed.
The Manchester example sits alongside wider concerns about adult gaming centres, which the department notes often cluster in deprived areas.
Reed’s package also pairs with the Home Office’s recently launched High Street Organised Crime Unit, which targets criminal operations running through vape stores, barbers and other cash-heavy retail.
Residents will be able to check progress against the Neighbourhood Guarantee in their area through new data on the Local Outcomes Framework platform.
Up to 25 Community Power Pilot areas will also let councils, community groups and residents co-design local services covering early years provision, youth services and community safety.
The vape and gambling measures land alongside fresh devolution decisions, including a transfer of powers letting mayors approve Transport and Works Act Orders within their own areas. That change clears a planning bottleneck for tram networks and other major public transport schemes that previously required central government sign-off.
The government has also legislated for powers to introduce and enforce a profit cap on private providers placing vulnerable children in care, with ministers signalling they will use the cap if market reforms fail to bring prices down.
Wider changes target the placements system, expand fostering and offer earlier family support.
“The Government’s new Neighbourhood Guarantee sets minimum standards local people can expect to see and hold public services to account. And if things don’t improve, there are new powers to force change. This is all about showing respect for the places people call home,” said Reed.
