Major public bonfire nights and fireworks organised by Manchester Council at parks across the region have been SCRAPPED for 2022 with bosses blaming "escalating costs". The council has confirmed that its own bonfire events, including the huge celebration at Heaton Park, will NOT be reintroduced this year following the two-year lay-off during the Covid-19 pandemic.
They say the decision is due to a "combination of factors" including the escalating costs of delivering large Bonfire Night events. That coupled with increased safety measures and "increased pressure on Council budgets" has led to the decision, announced just three weeks before Bonfire Night celebrations are due to take place on November 5.
They say they are now looking at "reprioritising budgets" to look at more community events through winter focussing on "fun free activities for families and young people." It means no free council-organised bonfire and fireworks displays will take place at council parks in Manchester this year.
Read more : World Fireworks Championships being held in Blackpool this weekend
Council-run events have previously been held in eight parks including Heaton Park, Platt Fields Park, Cringle Park, Debdale Park and Wythenshawe Park. The last time they were held was pre-Covid in 2019 but will NOT return for 2022.
The full statement from the council released today said: "Manchester City Council has announced that council-organised bonfire events will not be reintroduced in Manchester Parks this year, following a two-year lay-off during the Covid-19 pandemic.
"A combination of factors including the escalating costs of delivering large bonfire events, increasing safety and organisational measures needed and increased pressure on Council budgets have ultimately led to the decision.
"The Council will assess the impact of this year’s events not going ahead as part of a review into the approach to future bonfire events.
"The Council is reprioritising its neighbourhoods funding to focus on a program of community events and activities throughout the winter focussing on fun, free activities for families and young people.
"Such events include October’s half-term school holiday activity programme, a fun packed week of sports activities, family events, outdoor adventures and cultural activity to keep youngsters and their families entertained and fulfilled during school holidays. "
Councillor Lee Ann Igbon, Executive Member for Vibrant Neighbourhoods, said: “It is with great reluctance that we’re announcing that council-organised bonfire events will not be taking place this year. Manchester is one of the only major cities that continues to host council-organised firework and bonfire events.
"Bonfire events haven’t taken place in the city since 2019 and we have decided to hold that position this year. This is not a decision we have taken lightly and I know that many people will be disappointed.
“Nevertheless, due to a combination of factors such as rising costs, pressure on our budgets and, our ambition to be a net zero carbon city by 2038 we will not have Council-organised bonfire events this year.
"The cost of delivering the event has escalated every year and to host large bonfire events we would have to plug the shortfall by diverting parks funding away from essential park services.
"Our Neighbourhood teams have been working tirelessly to re-prioritise the budget on community events and supporting our residents through the cost-of-living crisis.
“As usual, we will be working with partner agencies to help promote safety messages and prevent anti-social behaviour.”
Read next:
- Inside Will Mellor's family cafe in Romiley where villagers are cheering on Strictly star
- The 1975 frontman Matty Healy mobbed by fans on Manchester walkabout
- Man City star's wife isn't impressed with Manchester's restaurants
- Stockport sweeps the board at Manchester Food and Drink Festival Awards
- The secret cake outlet shop with cut-price caterpillar cakes, brownies, flapjacks and all sorts
