Sainsbury’s supermarket has made a landmark move by banning the sale of fireworks ahead of the country’s annual Bonfire night celebrations.
It has been confirmed that the retailer is removing products from all of its 2,300 stores across the country this year, meaning that shoppers will not be able to purchase fireworks from them, and instead, Sainsbury’s is encouraging shoppers to opt for light-up spinning wands or glow sticks in the place of the usual explosive pyrotechnics.
Blaming a ‘range of factors,’ a spokesperson for Sainsbury’s said: “We regularly review the products available in our stores and we are no longer selling fireworks based on a range of factors.
“Customers can continue to choose from a range of seasonal products, such as glow sticks and light-up spinning wands.”
The retailrer’s decision follows a Scottish survey that found the majority of people in the country supported a ban on fireworks after over 16,000 respondents gave their opinion to the Scottish government ahead of this year’s Bonfire night celebrations.
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However, Sainsbury’s is not the first supermarket to ban the sale of fireworks, following in the footsteps of Coop – which has not sold them for five years.
Sainsbury’s supermarket has made a landmark move by banning the sale of fireworks / Credit: Alexander P Kapp
Elsewhere, other supermarkets have released statements confirming that their sales will go ahead – but some will sell ‘silent’ versions this year.
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A spokesperson for Asda explained their decision to sell ‘low noise’ fireworks this year, saying: “We know that many of our customers love fireworks, but we also know that some customers and their pets don’t like the noise, which is why this year we have launched a collection of low noise fireworks so that everyone can still enjoy the show.”
An Aldi spokesperson, meanwhile, said that the retailer would continue to sell fireworks before adding that it “understands the importance of animal welfare when celebrating [with fireworks] which is why our sales materials include reminders that pets should be kept safe indoors along with advice on how to make them feel secure.”
Tesco is another retailer that will continue to sell fireworks this year across all of its stores.
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Dogs Trust, however, has congratulated Sainsbury’s for its decision, with a spokesperson saying: “although they can look beautiful, fireworks can be very distressing for dogs when let off unexpectedly.
“Because they are so easily accessible all year-round, dog owners are on tenterhooks as to when their beloved pooch will next be frightened.”
Salford RLFC issue statement as head coach Mike Grady departs after less than three months
Danny Jones
Salford Rugby League Football Club have issued an official statement following the departure of head coach Mike Grady, who has left the role after less than three months in the job.
It has been insisted that this is not a sacking, but rather a joint decision to terminate his contract.
Grady, who took up the mantle at the start of this project following the end of the Salford Red Devils era, was only appointed on 5 January.
He had previously been in charge of the Red Devils’ women’s side over the past couple of years, but moved over to hopefully lead this new era forward.
As you can see, the club confirmed in a statement that they and Grady have “mutually agreed to part ways due to changes in his personal circumstances.”
They go on to write: “We are forever indebted to Mike for his unwavering commitment to the club. We want to thank him for all his hard work since taking on the role as Head Coach in very challenging circumstances in December.”
Also sharing a comment from former player turned CEO, Ryan Brierley, he said: “Mike came in as Coach at a time when the club had just come through one of its toughest times with the double impact of relegation and liquidation.
“He was willing to roll up his sleeves and bring stability to the club on the pitch. The fact we were able to field a team against Oldham in January, after only three weeks, speaks volumes about his commitment and determination. To beat Hunslet at home only four weeks later was a fantastic achievement.
“Mike will always be remembered as the person [who] strived and achieved the objective of sending out the first Salford team of this new era. A team running onto the pitch, after so much hard work, gave us all something to cheer about. We also remember how well he successfully guided our women’s team to third and fourth place finishes in the Championship.”
Sharing his own farewell message, he went on to add: “I want to thank Ryan for the opportunity to represent this great club and fan base. What we created at the start of the year was pretty special, and I’m proud to have built that.
“I’m happy to leave the club in a better place than I found it and wish the club all the best for the future.” Salford RLFC have already assured that they are now recruiting for his replacement.
Price caps and standardisations to be introduced for vet care in UK following major investigation
Emily Sergeant
Reforms to the veterinary industry to help pet owners better navigate the vet services market are set to be introduced this year.
After an independent inquiry group recently found that the current system is leaving pet owners ‘in the dark’, with a lack of information to help make informed decisions leading to weak competition and high prices, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has this week concluded its investigation into veterinary services for household pets in the UK.
The final report green-lights a package of measures to make the market more competitive, easier to navigate, and more responsive to pet owners’ needs.
It outlines the final remedies and recommendations, which together, will transform the market.
Remedies and recommendations in the report range from price caps and standardisations, through to upfront cost transparency.
We’ve set out major reforms to the UK’s veterinary sector now our market investigation is complete.
Our reforms will help pet owners better navigate the vet services market and will start coming into force later this year.
— Competition & Markets Authority (@CMAgovUK) March 24, 2026
Practices will soon be required to publish a comprehensive price list for standard services – including consultations, common procedures, diagnostics, written prescriptions and cremation options – so pet owners know up-front how much certain services are expected to cost.
They’ll also have to make it clear whether they are part of a group or an independent business, and provide a written estimate in advance for any treatment expected to cost £500 or more (including aftercare costs), plus an itemised bill.
Written prescription fees are set to be capped at £21 for the first medicine, and then £12.50 for any additional medicines.
Price caps and standardisations are set to be introduced for vet care in UK / Credit: Pxhere
There’s also set to be changes to the complaints process, as practices will now be required to follow a transparent, accessible, in-house complaints process, and engage in mediation where disputes cannot be resolved.
The CMA says an ‘unprecedented’ response from both the public and the sector has helped to shape the final report.
The next step is for the Government to respond to the report formally – with Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Emma Reynolds, commenting: “We are grateful for all the work of the Competition and Markets Authority, and we will respond to the report and set out next steps for our proposed reforms in due course.
“This Government is focused on helping families save money on vet services by improving transparency and choice around pricing, so the public can make informed decisions about their pets’ care.”
Georgina Pellant -
19th October 2021 
