Am I Alone In Thinking That The NYE Fireworks Are A Monumental Waste Of Money?

[MarmaladeSandwich7]

They looked great from what I saw ( fell asleep & missed the chimes!) but my goodness the cost must have been astronomical! I keep thinking of all the folks that could have benefited from all that cash . The display was literally money up in smoke!

Think of the people kept in employment making then and organising the displays.

It's a pissing contest with other cities around the world. Goes on far too long and is imo very hard to justify the cost to the taxpayer.

You could say that about many things that are for enjoyment/art though. I think they are fantastic and long may they continue.

Tinternet says they cost £5m but generate £14m…. Sounds pretty profitable to me!

Depends. How much extra do they bring to the nighttime economy, hospitality etc?

Probably people in China making them.

Joyless grump

They last about 12 minutes and attract many tourists who spend money which boosts the economy. Also people pay to watch them so they must make several million pounds from that. (100,000 spectators x £20 - £55). Plus sales to televise around the world?

I agree. It’s pretty but really is just burning money. It will be a hard tradition to modernise but drone light displays seem the way to go. Some people might miss the bangs and wizzes, but pets won’t.

I think they’re great! Love them & would be a real sin if our capital city couldn’t celebrate the new year in style!

Ticket sales and selling the TV rights will offset (if not outweigh) the cost

They’re brilliant and generate a lot of money for the city of London. Which then helps the rest of the country. It is also part of a social and economical strategy for keeping London as a key player amongst other big cities across the world, which in turn generates money and status, which go together.

Public money doesn't pay for them I understand it's through ticket sales and corporate sponsors. You can always say money could be spent elsewhere but this gives a global profile, brings money into the economy and so remains a good thing

The event doesn’t make a profit for itself but it does apparently create a boost of more than £14m to the local economy due to people spending in the area on the night - restaurants, cafes, pubs, shopping, hotels…

I love the fireworks!

Major public celebrations are important on so many levels. And as has been demonstrated councils monetarise such events to generate money and put it in circulation.

Loads of things are a 'monumental waste of money' - funfair rides, half the paraphernalia of weddings, Christmas, funerals, household decorations etc etc, but all bring something that gives pleasure or means something in the moment. I don't want to live my life asleep on the sofa, thanks!

Yeah let’s suck the fun out of everything! Never have a nice thing because it could be spent elsewhere!

@FollowSpot it’s unusual for me to be asleep on NYE but I haven’t been very well unfortunately.
@omggggggg I’m most certainly not a joyless grump! Happy New Year!

If it doesn't cost the taxpayer anything and makes a good profit for the city then I guess it's not too bad. How does it fit in with the government's Net Zero Strategy? Are the fireworks made in the UK?

Totally agree. I did think of homeless people watching that and considering our priorities.

I love fireworks. We prioritised fireworks over flowers at our wedding back in the day.

That’s not what I’m saying at all!

No. When you add up the ticket prices and all the extra business (and tax) generated by people eating out, buying drinks, catching taxis, they are good value.

I wish that we could move away from relying on fireworks as entertainment. They are so terrible for the environment and distressing for wildlife, many pets and also some people.

They’re made in Kimbolton Cambridgeshire (along with other companies I think). I know a few people who work for them!

They generate a profit though. Which supports homeless charities.