No plans for public fireworks display in Glasgow as cost of £350,000 'too high'

There are no plans for a public fireworks display in Glasgow, with the £350,000 estimated cost deemed too high.

Bailie Annette Christie, chair of Glasgow Life, suggested money could be better used elsewhere rather than on “just five minutes of fireworks for £350,000”.

She was responding to a question from Cllr Jon Molyneux, Glasgow Greens co-leader, who asked whether cash from the city’s Common Good fund could contribute towards an annual civic display.

Glasgow Life, the city council’s culture and leisure arm, previously organised Bonfire Night displays at Glasgow Green, with the last taking place in 2019 prior to the Covid pandemic.

However, at a recent Safe Glasgow partnership meeting, a representative for Scottish Fire and Rescue, which has to deal with anti-social behaviour on Bonfire Night, said an organised event should be considered.

He said: “We know that it wouldn’t entirely take the sting out of the night, but we think there would be a lot of people who would attend an organised event.”

The council’s Common Good fund is used to meet the cost of civic ceremonies and hospitality and Cllr Molyneux said several other Scottish council areas use it to fund firework displays.

He said the council had unanimously agreed earlier this year that Glasgow Life should be working to organise a public display at Glasgow Green.

Cllr Molyneux added the city’s civic hospitality budget is “currently underspent”.

Bailie Christie said Glasgow’s winter events, both civic and commercial, had been reviewed during the pandemic and the fireworks display was “removed with funds channelled towards developing events across a wider period of time during the winter period”.

She said Police Scotland recommended “a significant increase in safety and security measures” after 2019 and, along with the impact of inflation on “core infrastructure and pyrotechnics”, the estimated cost was in the region of £350,000.

Using Common Good money would “place pressure” on the fund, which was a budget of just under £800,000 this year.

Bailie Christie said a new events strategy would be launched soon, with an initial report to a council committee later this month.

She added the review was about getting “the best bang for your buck and to ensure all citizens can benefit from our events strategy across a longer period of time instead of just five minutes of fireworks for £350,000”.