Norwich firework display Big Boom 'unlikely to return soon'

It has been four years since Norwich’s popular Big Boom event was last held, and it is now not expected to come back for the foreseeable future. 

City Hall’s new leader, Mike Stonard, said it was unfortunate but that the decision was necessary, as the authority continued to address holes in its budget. 

This year the Labour-led council was forced to find £6.2m in cuts, with cancelling the fireworks saving around £33,000. 

The 2019 Big Boom fireworks display Picture: Sonya Duncan (Image: Sonya Duncan)

He said: “There is a shortage of funds and the event budgets had to be cut back. 

“I really, really regret that because the whole point of the fireworks was that it was something free, that families could go to. And particularly in these hard times, I recognise that it is something people would really value. 

“But we have to choose between some pretty tough priorities and we’ve got some pretty big savings to continue to make.” 

Mr Stonard said the council has been forced to find millions in savings every year, in part due to successive Conservative governments imposing austerity measures. 

The 2019 Big Boom fireworks display Picture: Sonya Duncan (Image: Sonya Duncan)

He said the council had to prioritise things that "really matter" to people, like keeping a 100pc council tax reduction scheme for people on low incomes. Other councils provide smaller reductions. 

“Sadly, for the time being, I don’t think they will be back,” he added. 

“But if our finances improve, and who knows, we get a Labour government, it is something that we would really, really love to bring back”.

The event used to attract thousands of revellers, with an estimated 10,000 people attending in 2018.   

The Big Boom last took place in November 2019, with the 2020 and 2021 events called off due to the pandemic. Last year's show was also cancelled to save money.