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78% of Brits want fireworks banned, according to new survey

Only 14% plan to attend a public firework display this year.

Emily Sergeant - 30th October 2024

Has Bonfire Night basically “fizzled out” now?

Well, according to a new survey, that could very well be the case, because 78% of the UK public apparently want fireworks banned for good.

Bonfire Night is an annual event in the UK’s seasonal calendar, known and loved for its spectacular firework displays and all the festive-themed activities that come along with it… but to say it’s ‘loved’ by everyone, doesn’t paint the truest picture – with this proved by finance experts, RIFT, who found that just 14% of Brits plan to attend a public firework display this year,

The UK public-commissioned survey also found that with the average cost for such organised events reportedly coming in at a whopping £444 per minute, 87% of us believe the money could be better spent elsewhere.

A new survey has revealed that 78% of Brits want fireworks banned / Credit: Unsplash

It’s said that the rising costs is to blame for dampening the enthusiasm of many local Councils.

However, while the survey found that as little as 14% plan to attend a public firework display this year, the key objection to this actually isn’t cost related, as 38% stated it was due to the fact fireworks scare pets, and therefore they just don’t agree with them overall, while a further 20% don’t agree with the wider environmental impacts they have.

When it does comes to cost though, because industry data shows that, on average, a 20-minute public firework display costs an eye-watering £10,000, 86% of the public don’t believe is good value for money.

In fact, 87% of those surveyed believe the money could be far better spent elsewhere – particularly in the current economic climate.

Only 14% plan to attend a public firework display this year / Credit: Elisha Terada (via Unsplash)

Despite this, just a third (33%) would like to see public firework displays banned completely.

As far as the private sale of fireworks is concerned, as it stands in the UK, you can only purchase fireworks legally between 15 October and 10 November, on 26-31 December, and in the three days leading up to Diwali or Chinese New Year.

But 78% of those surveyed would like to see this scrapped completely, and essentially want a ban on firework sales all year round.

What’s your take then? Should we scrap fireworks for good? Or keep the fire burning?

Featured Image – Alex Jones (via Unsplash)