Norwich's 'Big Boom' fireworks display to be cancelled for fourth year running
It comes as the local council tries to save money
Last updated 21st Feb 2023
Norwich’s main fireworks display looks set to be cancelled for the fourth year in a row, as the council tries to save money.
The Big Boom, once popular with families, could be removed from City Hall’s calendar again this year as part of a move to save £6.2m from the budget.
Scrapping the show is expected to save Norwich City Council £33,000.
The Big Boom last took place in November 2019, with the 2020 and 2021 events called off due to the Covid pandemic. Last year’s show was also cancelled to save money.
The event used to attract thousands of revellers, with an estimated 10,000 people attending in 2018.
Dropping the display, which used to be staged on the top of the castle, is one of the potential savings set out in the budget papers to be discussed at a Norwich City Council meeting on Tuesday.
Other savings and extra income the council expects to make in this and future years include:
- Rental income from Old Carrow House following refurbishment: £50,000 in 2023/24 and another £50,000 in 2024/25;
- Reducing the cost of the Citizen magazine, by possibly reducing how often it is produced: £25,000 in 2023/24;
- Additional income through hiring out open spaces: £30,000 in 2023/24 and £20,000 in 2024/25.
Alan Waters, the leader of the council, said the authority had to focus on the services that matter most to residents.
“The cost of living crisis, housing and green spaces are among the things people have said they want us to focus on,” he said.
“It’s a good budget that will protect our services but one of the things we have had to identify as a cut is the firework display.”
Mr Waters also said the ongoing works at the castle would have made a display there impossible this year.