Fireworks sales soar as Bonfire Night is cancelled

Fireworks sales for small garden displays have soared following the cancellation of many big displays.

This bonfire night, households that once ventured out to large community displays, are instead turning to lighting up the skies themselves.

Major firework displays including Blackheath, in London, Heaton Park in Manchester and Newquay Harbour in Cornwall have all been cancelled due to social distancing guidelines.

But spectators are finding other ways to celebrate the November 5 as sales for sparklers and garden packages have skyrocketed.

Galactic Fireworks in Sheffield said sales of their smaller back garden packages were up more than 40 per cent up compared with last year.

Harry Turver from the company said that with public displays including those at pubs, clubs, local communities and councils not going ahead this year, they have had a “huge influx” in the sale of selection boxes, fountains and lower noise fireworks.

“It takes us back in time when families traditionally enjoyed fireworks at home with their loved ones and we personally think it's brilliant,” he said.

The UK’s largest stockist of fireworks, JTF Mega Discount Warehouses, meanwhile, said sparkler sales had increased threefold compared with last year.

“We have seen an uplift in sales for products such as sparklers, barrages and selection boxes that are suitable for hosting a display in smaller spaces such as private gardens. Sparkler sales alone have increased threefold from last year, and we’ve seen four times as many barrages sold as well as selection boxes doubling.

“With shoppers unable to gather in big groups this year, we hope we can bring back a bit of the spark this season and encourage our customers to safely celebrate from the comfort of their homes with their household and support bubble,” said commercial director Danny Moss.

But firefighters are calling for Guy Fawkes night to pass without a bang, with Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service asking people to “give it a miss” this year.

The London Fire Brigade also asked residents to “think twice” about holding their own display or garden bonfires.

The Brigade said it was preparing for a busier night than usual with a risk of people becoming injured at home or fires getting out of control.

Last year, they attended more than 2000 incidents over Halloween and Bonfire Night and over the last five years 45 percent of fires ignited by fireworks during the Bonfire Night period occurred at residential properties.