Manchester Council has confirmed that there will be no official firework displays in its parks this Bonfire Night blaming cost issues
No large bonfire events have been held in the city since 2019 when the impacts of the pandemic initially caused them not to go ahead.
The council says that it continues to support and provide a wide range of free, family fun activities and events across the city, including a package of Halloween and Autumn activity in parks.
Councillor Lee Ann Igbon, Executive Member for Vibrant Neighbourhoods, said: “As Halloween and bonfire night approach, we want to remind residents that council-organised bonfire events will again not be taking place in our parks this year.
“We have looked carefully at the cost benefit of putting on these huge bonfire events and with the continuing rising costs and pressure on our budgets, we feel that our focus, like last year, should be on delivering a bespoke programme of autumn and winter park activities for local communities starting with half-term in late October.
“Positive feedback has been received from delivering smaller scale events in parks, that concentrated on what local communities wanted, last year and we will continue to do the same again this year.
“We want to support families through the cost-of-living crisis and feel that this is much better way to target resources by providing a programme of events, whether that is sports and physical activity, arts and crafts, educational activities or initiatives that provide free or low-cost food, that are relevant and meaningful to residents in their local neighbourhoods.
“The Council will continue to work with our partners to ensure that all our residents stay safe this season.”
