The council stated in a recent press release that they would not be going ahead with the usual displays held this time of year amid the cost-of-living crisis. The cost to run these events is estimated to be over £200,000 which the council have deemed ‘non-essential’ spending.
“We certainly did not take this decision lightly and we know that this news will come as a real disappointment to many people, and this disappointment is something that we share” says Councillor Salma Arif, executive member for public health and active lifestyles.
The decision has already caused a stir with residents taking to social media to voice their concerns and frustration, with one criticising their decision to run the Light Night event in Leeds last month.
Local resident and previous attendee of the Hyde Park Bonfire event, Ryan Pride, says that the Leeds City Council are “the biggest joke going” and questions their budgeting methods.
“They’ve cancelled it for the last 3 years, 2 years of covid and this year’s budget pressures. Everyone is suffering due to the price hike on everything. No Christmas market, no bonfire night, no New Years Eve, they look for a reason every year and have since 2019. They can barely maintain a road, never mind a budget.”
Here’s what the people of Leeds think about the cancellations of the public bonfire and firework displays.
Despite the lack of public displays, some venues are hosting their own events for bonfire night however many of these do require a fee. This has lead to an increase in people hosting their own bonfire or firework displays which may lead to further issues.
A rise in anti-social behaviour is expected due to an increase in people buying their own fireworks in response to the cancellations. Leeds Safer Strong Communities Team will be working to reduce the negative impacts associated with this in areas that have previously been linked to anti-social behaviour around bonfire night.
