London’s annual New Years firework display, which sees around 100,000 people hit the streets of the capital and is also watched by millions on TV, has been cancelled.
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, took the decision to cancel this year’s spectacular display earlier this week. He says coronavirus fears are behind the decision.
As well as marking a New Year, 1st January 2021 is also a big day politically as the UK fully leaves the European Union.
Sadiq Khan told LBC Radio that they simply cannot afford for the event to go ahead with the number of people who will congregate:
“I can tell you that there will not be a fireworks New Year’s Eve this year like in previous years.
“We simply can’t afford to have the number of people congregating on New Years eve, congregating.
He has however said that they are working on doing something that people can enjoy from the comfort of their homes – although details are yet to be released. He stresses there is nothing happening in central London.
“What we are working on is to do something that people can enjoy in the comfort and safety of their living rooms on TV.”
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A Conservative London Assembly Member for West Central, Tony Devenish, said:
“Sadiq Khan’s decision to cancel the capital’s iconic New Year’s Eve fireworks display is a hammer blow to central London.
“The West End is in crisis and we desperately need to encourage people to safely return to central London. The Mayor’s decision effectively warns visitors to stay away on New Year’s Eve, which will inevitably hurt local businesses.
“Londoners would understand that this year’s New Year Eve’s celebration would have to be smaller with special measures in place to keep people safe. However, cancelling London’s fireworks display and the entire event months before we know if the rule of 6 will still be in force is ridiculous and demoralising.”
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At least less to get mugged, stabbed, shot, acid attacked, bag snatched, beaten and s exually molested or if unlucky, run down deliberately or blown limbless. Police and r ape crisis centre will have a quieter night.
Every cloud….. Better off with a box of sparklers in the garden, if not raining.
And the Queens Corgi’s won’t mess themselves on the Axminster for ‘one’ to have to scrap up on December’s edition of the ‘Tattler’ !
God forbid anyone should have any fun planned in 3 months time.Go to Trafalgar Square 12pm Saturday 26th September to the protest against all our human rights being taken away instead
Tell that to the 40000 people that have died
SRichards. Human Rights, for God’s sake man, get a grip. If people are protesting against free movement in the middle of a pandemic, it’s a disgrace. It just proves how people’s views these days are totally screwed up. Personally I think the Government have been way too slow and lenient to react to this whole situation. People need to start listening and do as they are instructed or this virus will never leave us. Just image that before you start spouting Human Rights crap.
It’s covidiots like you who are the reason they are having to get strict again.
Human rights protest. You lot will be there with no masks, spreading the virus because you think this is a hoax. You make me puke.
But… you can’t spread the virus if you’re not infected, correct?
Why all this fuss ? It’s only a virus.
It would appear that despite 40,000+ deaths over the past six months, Mr. Devenish still doesn’t get it.
Not meaning to sound a party pooper but I really hope they ban supermarkets and shops selling fireworks for bonfire night this year.
I understand organised displays for children on or near the day. My children loved them as well.
It’s the constant round of fireworks being let off in people’s gardens days and days before and after November 5th. It can be anything up to two weeks.
My dog is a trembling panting nervous wreck she’s so terrified.Some of them sound like a small versions of Nuclear bombs.
We used to go to London on New Years Eve. Many moons ago now. Those were the days.
Thousands of people and I mean thousands. Massively disappointing for so many people. But it is a shame especially if it could have been properly organised.
Not to be a party pooper, but a lot of dog owners are ignorant tw@s that happily allow their stupid mutts to bark all day every day, thinking nothing whatsoever about it. No consideration for anyone.
The mayor of London is the biggest twat to ever draw breath .none of his policies about anything make any sense .totally mental .
Good! Waste of money.
Pfft.. London, who cares?