Bonfire Night cancelled across UK towns as councils can’t afford rising costs of fireworks – is your area on the list?

Bonfire Night celebrations have been cancelled in various towns across the UK due to the escalating costs of firework displays. Cities such as Manchester, Nottingham, Norwich, and Glasgow have made the decision to axe their Guy Fawkes displays in order to alleviate financial strains faced by their councils. Manchester City Council, for example, has opted to provide alternative family-focused activities, including pumpkin carving and a Christmas parade. Similarly, Nottingham City Council cited increasing financial pressures as the reason for their decision.

Norwich City Council has not held a fireworks night event since 2019, claiming that costs have doubled since their last display four years ago. Glasgow Life, which manages culture and leisure services for Glasgow City Council, has also diverted resources away from fireworks displays to other events during the festive season. Moreover, the annual fireworks display in Gravesend has been cancelled due to a lack of sponsorship. The council attempted to secure a sponsor instead of using taxpayers’ money but was unsuccessful.

In addition, bonfire night festivities in Darlington and Perth and Kinross have been restricted due to financial constraints. The display in Darlington was deemed too expensive, while Perth and Kinross Council agreed to reduce the size of the bonfire and use lower noise fireworks and muffled music. Swansea City Council has cancelled their free beach fireworks display in favor of a ticketed “Night at the Movies” event. Furthermore, the Red Lion in Newburgh, West Lancashire has cancelled its annual fireworks display after over 40 years due to safety concerns and rising costs.

The sharp increases in the cost of fireworks have been a major factor in the decisions to cancel Bonfire Night celebrations. Rob Watling, the owner of Peak Fireworks in Nottingham, highlighted the significant rise in shipping costs, estimating a 400 percent increase in recent years. He also noted that approximately 90 percent of fireworks are imported from China. The cancellations have sparked disappointment among locals who look forward to these annual events, but councils are struggling to allocate funds in the face of mounting expenses.