BONFIRE NIGHT SNUFFED OUT
ONE of the largest fireworks displays to take place in North Wales has been called off just days before it was due to take place.
Llandudno Town Council said it was forced to cancel the Bonfire Night event, due to take place on Guy Fawkes night, after problems with insurers.
It is thought that the Victorian pleasure pier – which has staged the displays since 2001 – will not be used again as a venue for the annual celebrations.
In a statement the council, which pays for the display and insurance, said: “Llandudno Town Council has had to cancel the annual fireworks display in Llandudno this year due to new insurance requirements to cover Llandudno Pier in case of a fire on the pier. This has only been brought to our attention this week by the insurance companies.
“The town council has been working with the Llandudno Pier Company, who have representatives on the council’s firework sub-committee, and its fireworks contractor to try and find a solution to the problem; however, this has not been possible as the new requirements are prohibitively expensive.”
An estimated 10,000 locals and tourists come to see the display every year.
Councillor Greg Robbins, chairman of the fireworks sub-committee, said: “We are very disappointed for the public that this display cannot now go ahead.
“Given the very short time before the 5th of November it is not possible to find an alternative location and put in place all of the safety requirements; however, we do have a feasible solution for next year’s display but sadly there is not enough time to implement it this year.
Simon Mason, pier manager, said that concerns about the viability of this year’s display had been raised some weeks ago. He said: “We had discussed with our insurers about getting cover and they considered the protection and insurance on the pier was not adequate.
“We’ve been working for over a month to make sure we had a policy in place. But yesterday our insurers spoke to Lloyds of London, who would ultimately provide cover, and they told us the costs involved would be too much.”
He said engineers had estimated that to rebuild the pier to even a basic standard would need a minimum of £25m insurance.
“It would have run to £10,000s, which the council would not be able to afford,” he told the Daily Post.
“We felt we had no other option. We had been discussing alternative sites for a little while before that but the council decided it was too short notice. We have been trying our hardest.”
He said that he hoped that the public would understand the situation.
“For years people have asked us how can we have a fireworks display on an old wooden pier. In the past that has always worked and it has been great for the town and local businesses.
“Obviously we know it will be a great disappointment but ultimately the pier’s survival is more important to the town, it’s not something we would want to risk. If we did not have the pier it would be a massive blow to the town.”
The pier was taken over by local businessman Adam Williams last year and has since invested some £700,000 on new buildings and amusements.
Llandudno is advising people to find alternative displays around the area.
Mr Williams said that talks are already under way to find a new venue for 2017. SAD ABOUT LLLANDUDNO? WE ARE TOO. BUT THERE ARE STILL LOADS OF GUY FAWKES EVENTS GOING ON IN NORTH WALES Beaumaris: On The Green and Pier from 7pm until 8.30pm. Holyhead: Bonfire at Penrhos Beach from 6.30pm and fireworks at 7pm. Trearddur Bay Hotel: Charity Bonfire and Firework display on Friday, November 4. Colwyn Bay: The annual Bonfire and Fireworks Event in Eirias Park on Friday, November 4, from 7pm. Tal-y-bont: Firework display to be held at the May Hughes Memorial Playing Fields at 7.30pm. Denbigh Castle: Firework display featuring Myfanwy and Clifford the Duelling Dragons to be held inside the castle, with spectators standing outside it, from 7pm. Rhyl: Firework display at Rhyl Showfield, Rhuddlan Road, from 7.30pm. Ruthin: Llanfwrog Community Centre Fireworks Display, Friday, November 4. Buckley Common: The town council’s annual fireworks display will take place this year on Higher Common at 6.30pm. Flint: At Flint Castle on Friday, November 4, at 6pm Guy Fawkes competition followed by a bonfire at 6.30pm before the fireworks at 7pm. Mold: Bonfire and firework display at Mold Alex Football Club, Alyn Park, Denbigh Road, 7pm. Bangor: Fireworks display at Bangor Beach Road, from 7pm. Caernarfon: Firework display near Caernarfon Castle from 7pm. Criccieth: Bonfire and firework display at Dylan’s, Criccieth, on Friday, November 4. Gresford: Fireworks display at the Gresford Colliery Sports and Social Club, takes place on Tuesday, November 1, from 5.30pm. Chirk: Fireworks display at Chirk AAA’s field, Holyhead Road, Chirk. Gates open 5pm.