Bonfire Nights cancelled across UK as councils can't afford fireworks - see list

10 October 2023 , 15:15

609 0

Some residents will be left disappointed by news of the cancellations (Image: Getty Images)

Bonfire Night has been cancelled across many towns in the UK due to a major increase in the cost of fireworks.

Councils in some major cities, including Manchester, Nottingham and Glasgow, have put a stop to any Guy Fawkes displays this year over budgetary concerns. Other smaller towns and areas have also pulled the plug on the traditional annual celebrations. Last week, Nottingham City Council was the latest to confirm it will be cancelling the fireworks display that was set for November 5. The removal of Bonfire Night from its events schedule is predicted to help save the council around £33,000.

The council said it made the decision following "increasing financial pressures in a very difficult current economic climate", reports The Telegraph. Elsewhere, Manchester City Council said it will instead provide family-focused activities such as pumpkin carving, 'Halloween in the City' and a Christmas parade. Norwich City Council, which has has not held a fireworks night event since 2019, claimed that "costs have doubled" since the last display four years ago. Glasgow Life, which runs culture and leisure services for Glasgow City Council, said it has diverted resources for other events in and around the festive period.

In addition, Gravesend's fireworks display was called off this year after the council could not find a sponsor for the event. The local authority had planned to fund the show through sponsorship instead of using taxpayers’ money. Gravesham council said it understands some will be left “disappointed” after the riverside show was cancelled, reports The Sun. At the other end of England, Darlington residents are also set to miss out on a fireworks event. Cllr Jonathan Dulston emphasised that the display was too expensive and the council simply could not afford to carry out the show.

In Scotland, Perth and Kinross Council have restricted its Bonfire Night celebrations. Cutbacks include reducing the bonfire size by a quarter and starting the display with lower noise fireworks and muffled music. While in Wales the free Swansea City Council beach fireworks display will be replaced by a 'Night at the Movies' ticketed event.

James Norton says he thought the ending to Happy Valley was 'sort of perfect'

Some councils are facing their third or fourth year of cancelled celebrations due to factors such as Covid-19 and the cost of living crisis. Rob Watling, owner of Peak Fireworks in Nottingham, said sharp increases in the cost of fireworks were a major influence on the decisions. He estimated that about 90% of fireworks are imported from China and added: "In the past few years, shipping costs have increased by over 400 per cent."

Elsewhere, a popular fireworks display in Deeside was cancelled due to "safety concerns". The Deeside Round Table charity confirmed their annual event would not be taking place at Deeside Leisure Centre in Flintshire, North Wales this year.