Return of Glasgow's fireworks display being explored

Glasgow Times

16-05-2025

There has been no display at Glasgow Green since 2019 and Glasgow Life, which organised the event, had previously said there were no plans for it to be brought back.
However, it has now emerged that officials are looking at a smaller event at reduced cost but still a public display free to the public.
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Annette Christie, chair of Glasgow Life told a meeting of Glasgow City Council that a report on the discussions would be produced int eh next two weeks.
She said the budget is smaller and security and safety costs are high.
Christie said: 'Currently Glasgow Life is exploring the feasibility of a similar event within a reduced budget of approximately £100,000 potentially through the Common Good Fund.
'The event would still be free to attend, take place around Bonfire Night and aim to deliver meaningful impact and quality.
'This work is nearing completion but does remain challenging.
'Safety and security costs are still substantial and may leave limited funding for a display of adequate scale.'
She was asked by Jon Molyneux, Greens councillor about using the Common Good Fund for a display.
Any new event would not be the same as before when tens of thousands were in Glasgow Green for a spectacular show and the associated costs could rule out Glasgow Green.
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Christie, said: 'Glasgow Life previously estimated that reinstating the traditional free civic Bonfire Night fireworks display would cost around £330,000.
'This figure reflects the scale of the event accommodating 25,00 people and the need for a high quality display.
'Safety and security requirements are also a major factor in these costs.'
She said that closing off a section of the park, and providing full police, security and medical support was 'challenging'.
The organisation's chair said: 'We have to install hostile vehicle mitigation in the surrounding streets. We also have full security and medical deployment, complete with ambulance provision and Police Scotland provide anti-social disorder officers as well as the regular deployment of officers, which requires payment also.'
She said she was 'happy to look at other areas of the city, not necessarily Glasgow Green' and suggested 'smaller neighbourhood displays' She invited councillors to come forward with any suggestions.
Molyneux said a return to a free civic display would be welcome.
He added: 'I'm pleased to hear that work is progressing and will progress at pace.
'I think it's clear that this is something that would be popular with most Glaswegians.
"It would certainly be welcomed by the fire service and I think it's important that we extend the areas in the city that may be subject to fireworks controls.'