New Year fireworks

[SESthebrave]

AIBU to think that in these times of austerity, the fireworks in London were a bit much?
I know we want to show London off to the rest of the world but I'm sure we could have saved a few million and only had fireworks for 5 mins instead of 10mins?

I know, I'm a killjoy aren't I?

[ArkadyRose]

The actual fireworks themselves cost £52K. The fireworks are always televised, and last year 8.8 million people watched them in the UK alone.

[AgentZigzagHasABigYuleLog]

Can't believe I was able to I worked this out that's about 0.006p per person, I'd pay that to watch it.

[AmberLeaf]

Total waste of money.

You didnt get all this nonsense pre 2000

[AgentZigzagHasABigYuleLog]

They didn't have a fireworks display for new year in 1998/9 Amber?

Are you sure?

[Charliefox]

I friggin hate fireworks. Of any description. In any location. At any time of the year. So there.

[Itsaboatjack]

I went and watched them. Me, my dh and 2 dd's. they were brilliant. We didn't go all he way to the river (hats of to those who do get there hours in advance), but we got to a spot with a decent view.

Actually I'm surprised at the cost being as low as the 52k quoted by a pp, I would have thought a lot more. But it brings way more money into the area that it costs. I actually heard something on the news earlier that the Edinburgh fireworks for a £1m investment brings in £30m.

[ArkadyRose]

Well, security, policing, road closures etc would add more to the cost; £52K is just the figure for the fireworks & control systems alone.

[Alisvolatpropiis]

I can't really comment,not living in London but someone I follow on twitter who does (paraphrasing) said " the fireworks are fantastic,all that money spent in this time of austerity,look how they light up the homeless sleeping in doorways. Waste of money"

[Alisvolatpropiis]

Posted too soon!

I think that is very much in line with how you feel OP. you are not alone.

[Beaverfeaver]

They were blooming marvellous. Wish I was there.

I doubt we will have them as big as this again after such a fabulous year for Britain.

I think it will be hard to beat

[Beaverfeaver]

There is also no way they cost as little as £52k

It was more fireworks than try used in te Olympic ceremonies!

[Alibabaandthe40nappies]

I loved them!

There was almost the same identical thread last year - was that you too OP??

[Startail]

YABU

[Tanith]

I was 13 the first time I stayed up for New Year. My mum and I opened the window and listened to the bell ringers at the Parish church chime in the New Year, then we went to bed. I remember thinking "Is that it?!!"

These days, they know how to celebrate! My SIL was at the London celebrations in 2000 and says it was fantastic :)

[CaptChaos]

They were fab. Anything to spread a little cheer and round off what has been a fairly amazing year for London is good.

Perhaps you'd feel better if a couple of ragged kids had had sparklers instead?

[onyx72]

Bah, humbug! YABU
I love fireworks.

[Joiningthegang]

We LOVED them - and the soundtrack - brilliant

[DontmindifIdo]

Apparently the year that Ken Livingston was trying to get us the Olympics, they spent £1m on fireworks, so I would assume the budget is about the same. Thing is for those who haven't/don't live in London don't see if the sheer numbers of people who flood in from Home Counties to watch the fireworks - the trains are heaving with people (I know South East trains just open the barriers so effectively it's free to travel in), many will go in the pubs around there, buy from stalls along the riverbank, pop in the shops to buy more booze stock up on supplies, go for dinner first etc. it probably pays for itself. The budget comes out of hte London assembly money, so council tax, sometimes companies sponsor it. I know they have companies sponsor the free tube travel on NYE, although didn't see if it was being done this year.

[DomesticCEO]

Way way way more than 52k!!!

They were awesome though!

[Mrsrudolphduvall]

I hate fireworks when they are in someone's garden or go off at random times during the year.

However the London ones were fantastic lat night..we watched them on tv as the thought of being in those crowds frightens me to death.
Dh called from Sydney last night saying how amazing the fireworks there had been.

Well ours were better....so there.

[SESthebrave]

Good point that it may pay for itself with all the extra visitors. I still think they could have got away with half the fireworks and we'd still have been impressed though!

I was there in Parliment Square myself to see in the year 2000 and tbh it was the crowd and atmosphere that made the 8hrs we spent there special rather than the 15/20mins of fireworks.

Hope everyone has renjoyed celebrating in their own way though - Happy New Year!

[AmberLeaf]

Agent, no I dont think there was as much 'fuss' pre 2000.

No way were they only £52k though! I think my local authorities 5th nov display costs something in the region of £250k! and that is piddly in comparison.

Ali I like your twitter friends comment!

Visitors will bring in revenue but that goes to businesses not back into the pot that paid for the fireworks.

I think it is obscene austerity my arse!

[DowntonSprouts]

I thought those fireworks were fantastic. The music was brilliant and the sound bytes from seb Coe etc were inspired. Loved the "mind the gap" bit when it all stopped then started again.

It was the final flourish to a magnificent year for London and the UK. I think we've showed the whole world a series of events that no where else can match. Never mind the Sydney Opera house, the setting last night is the most iconic location anywhere. It said we're British, we're proud and we know how to throw a party.

All this talk or austerity- do you think the right message to send out to the world is we're skint as a nation, heavily in debt and the Olympics have cost a bomb so we're just having a few bangers and a damp squid? They didn't put that display on for the thousands lining the Thames, they put it on to say to the world"come to London, the Olympics might be over but it's still cool, it's still happening and London is the place to visit! "

So whether it cost £50 k or £1m, you couldn't buy worldwide advertising and that sort of positive publicity for that.