Bonfire Night CANCELLED across Manchester due to ‘escalating costs’

Bonfire Night events and displays have been cancelled across the region as Manchester City Council blames ‘escalating costs’. 

The council has confirmed today that its own bonfire events, including the annual celebration at Heaton Park, will not be reintroduced this year following the two-year hiatus during the Covid pandemic.

They say the decision is due to a combination of factors including the ‘escalating costs’ of delivering large Bonfire Night events and the council’s ambition to be a ‘net zero carbon city by 2038’. 

This comes coupled with increased safety measures and ‘increased pressure on Council budgets’ amid the cost of living crisis. 

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.

“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. “

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Councillor Lee Ann Igbon, Executive Member for Vibrant Neighbourhoods, added: “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.

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“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.”