Fireworks

[magnatom]

Coming home yesterday on the bus (I was giving a lecture at the University so lycra wasn't a good idea) I get off at Anniesland Cross. I start my walk back to my house. As I cross the road I catch the sight of what looks like a new shop which has opened. In fact it is so new that the don't have a proper sign yet and have just put a banner up where the shop name would normally be.

On closer inspection I realise that this isn't a new shop, but a temporary shop. It was called 'International Fireworks' (or something similar). I'm not a big fan of fireworks being sold to Joe Public so my heart sinks a little. However, it hits rock bottom when I look in the shop and sitting at the desk waiting for customers was (and I apologise if this sounds snobbish) a 20 odd year old ned (chav).

Oh dear.

I wonder if the kids around our way will be getting hold of fireworks this year then...

So what are the rules with these temporary shops? Can anyone set one up? Do they need a licence?

 

[Paulus]

I would guess that they would need the same license as any sweetshop or newsagent that sells fireworks. I am not familiar with law. These tempory shops always appear at this time of year, as do shops on the run up to Christmas selling cheap tat. I am in agreement with you about selling fireworks to the public though, it is about time that they were banned for private use.

 

[Archie_tect]

Bad luck Magnatrom, sounds like there will be fireworks.

 

[Mr Pig]

Also, is it just me or are they getting more like military ordinance every year!? I swear that some of them make the house shake.

 

[Dayvo]

Bad luck Magnatrom, sounds like there will be fireworks.

And loss of fingers/eyes/cats!

 

[Globalti]

Why didn't you phone Trading Standards about it?

 

[tyred]

Won't make the slightest bit of difference. Fireworks are illegal in the Republic of Ireland and yet there are no shortage of the things.

 

[BigSteev]

There's normally several that open near me but unfortunately no sign of any this year. Looks like I'll need to go further afield for my supply of explosives this year. So much more satisfying than those poxy displays.

 

[rh100]

We've got one that opens every October through to the new year. We bought one for some silly price that had about 200 shots - trouble is, unless you count em', your never sure when it's finished.

I enjoy fireworks, but it just goes over the top when they go for weeks on end before Nov 5th. Although this year they haven't started as early, maybe the yob's are hit by the recession too.

 

[jimboalee]

We've got one that opens every October through to the new year. We bought one for some silly price that had about 200 shots - trouble is, unless you count em', your never sure when it's finished.

I enjoy fireworks, but it just goes over the top when they go for weeks on end before Nov 5th. Although this year they haven't started as early, maybe the yob's are hit by the recession too.

You are forgetting Diwali.

 

[rh100]

You are forgetting Diwali.

Fair point - that's five days accounted for then.

 

[Archie_tect]

Our house backs onto the 'posh' houses accessed from the 'right' side of the village, so we have very rich neighbours who love to show off their disposable income on flash cars and patio heaters... you know the type. As a consequence they celebrate Christmas, Ramadan, Yom Kippur, Easter, Guy Fawkes, birthdays, anniversaries, and anything else they can think of, with outside parties involving loud DJ hosted music, guests shouting to be heard above the music and 'lively' party games culminated by fantastic fireworks when it gets dark [last lot went on until after 1.30 in the morning and involves letting off repeating mortars.

It was fun the first couple of times but is getting wearing now... roll on the 5th and then another on Saturday night for those who missed the first one!

Wow, this sounds mean and petty- probably wouldn't be bothered if we were warned in advance [or even invited!]. They are pleasant when we say hallo over the fence but they never come near enough to chat to so we can't get into conversation with them to bring it up, and it seems rude to shout "Oi". How the other half lives... now their carbon footprint must be way, way off the scale. Sorry, this has taken me way off thread... Rant over, as you were!

 

[goo_mason]

Plenty of them have just opened up in Leith in almost every vacant shop that's available. They're a nightmare - they'll sell to anyone, legally or not.

No point complaining or reporting them as nothing ever gets done, sadly.

 

[jeltz]

There seems to be plenty of these temporary firework shops that set up I guess that if they needed a specific licence it would still be easy enough for them to obtain one.

Maybe I'm a grumpy old man but I'm staggered that we still allow the sale of these explosives to anyone, of the right age, in this country. I personally believe that in order to buy fireworks you should have to apply to the local authority for a licence, attend a safety course, pay a small fee for that licence and have it for a specifically scheduled event. Then maybe all fireworks should be numbered so that the licensed purchaser can be traced if they are subsequently sold on.

I do wonder if you went round buying the chemicals required to make fireworks whether you might end up under observation by MI5.

 

[Fnaar]

We were responsibly irresponsible when we were kids... used to buy bangers, go to a deserted spot, light a banger and ride over it on our bikes before it went off... Now of course, i think they should be banned.