Leverhulme Park fireworks display will NOT go ahead this year

Town Hall chiefs confirmed today they could not afford to put on the display at Leverhulme Park this year.

The outbreak of Covid meant the last time the display was held was in 2019.

A spokesman for Bolton Council told The Bolton News:“After two years off during the COVID-19 pandemic, we have taken the difficult decision not to bring back the Leverhulme Park firework display in 2022.

“Rising costs have put significant pressure on all local authorities, and we have decided to refocus the council’s events budget.”

Fair at Leverhulme Park (Image: Newsquest)

The announcement came just hours after it emerged the Heaton Park firework display has also been cancelled for the same reason.

Hundreds attend the dazzling firework display in Leverhulme Park every year.

The annual display has been going for more than 20 years and proved a huge success, as families, friends and residents turned out to celebrate Bonfire Night 2019.

As well as the firework display the community funfair with a wide variety of rides and traditional treats like black peas, toffee apples and candy-floss is a always a huge draw.

Heaton Park bonfire night was set to take place at 7.30pm at the Prestwich park on Saturday, November 5, after a two-year lay off due to the pandemic.

But Manchester's council said that 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.

Cllr Lee Ann Igbon, executive member for vibrant neighbourhoods at Manchester City Council, 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."