Southwark Park’s fireworks display has been cancelled for the third year in a row because of “the cost of living crisis” and “the fallout from Covid-19”.
The Council has said it will not hold a fireworks display this year “or going forward”, suggesting the event is being cancelled permanently.
Prior to 2020, it had run sixteen years in a row. In 2020 it was called off because of Covid-19 and again in 2021 due to the event’s “high costs”.
Cllr Catherine Rose, Cabinet Member for Leisure, Parks, Streets and Clean Air, said: “Southwark Council has made a decision not to hold a fireworks display this year, or going forward.
“The Cost of Living crisis, coupled with the fallout from Covid-19, means we have a duty to protect essential services that support residents and businesses.
“We will be using our resources for this, and to support our parks all year round. We know that as a community you will understand the sense in this decision, and thank you for that.”
London’s local authorities say they are so cash-strapped that they need a pandemic-style emergency cash injection to cope with rising costs.
London councils demand cost-of-living budget boost from central government
London Councils, the group representing all 32 London boroughs, said the money could be used for social health care provision and creating financial “safety nets” for the most vulnerable people.
Southwark Council has established a £5 million Cost of Living Fund which supported 30,000 low-income households between August and September 2022.
The Council has said it will announce more support available through the fund later this month.
To find out what support is available as costs rise, find out about cost of living financial advice and support in Southwark.