A council in Greater Manchester which axed its annual bonfire extravaganza spent £100,000 staging its last two events, new figures show.
Oldham Council spent more than £60,000 on fireworks and its Big Bang Bonfire last year, a Freedom of Information request can reveal.
This was nearly £20,000 more than their spending in 2022 which cost the council £42,335.
This year the cash-strapped council will have a modest display in the town centre and its Big Bang Bonfire – which was entering its 12th year – will not take place.
A spokesperson for Oldham Council said: ”We’ve done this to have an event that was easier for anyone in the borough to attend, and also to support town centre businesses.”
The smaller town-centre focused event will take place tonight, Tuesday 5 November, to celebrate bonfire night.
Oldham Council spent nearly four times as much as two other Greater Manchester councils on firework events last year, an FOI revealed.
Wigan Council spent £17,120.10 on bonfire night fireworks last year whereas Rochdale council spent £15,915.47.
Wigan Council actually made back their spends and more – generating £21,903.98 from their Haigh Woodland Park Firework Show in 2023, an FOI also revealed.
A spokesperson for Oldham Council clarified that the £20,000 rise in costs between 2022-2023 was because the cost of firewood went up ”significantly” and they needed to pay for security at the event.
Oldham Council’s decision to save money on this year’s bonfire event comes after the council asked its employees to consider redundancy to plug a predicted £36million budget deficit.
It said: “This year we are laying on a free family event in the town centre which will include arts and crafts, strolling performers and a fireworks display.
“It is part of a full programme of free events taking place across autumn and winter.
“A free event on Bonfire Night means fewer people holding their own bonfires and fireworks displays, saving them money and helping to cut demand on the emergency services at their busiest time.”
Photo by Elisha Terada on Unsplash
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