FIREWORKS Event Cancelled Over Steward Shortage

INVERCLYDE Council has confirmed it will not be holding its annual fireworks display next month.

The event was due to take place on Saturday 6 November at Battery Park in Greenock but has been called off becuase of a lack of stewarding staff required to keep people safe and carry out covid-19 vaccination checks for those attending.

Most stewarding companies are under contract to support the COP26 climate conference in Glasgow, which runs from 31 October to 12 November. This has resulted in a lack of staff to work at other events.

Provost Martin Brennan said: “It’s extremely disappointing that we have had to reluctantly cancel the fireworks this year but priority number one is always going to be running a safe event.

“Despite the best efforts of council staff to deliver the event, there are simply not enough stewards available to allow it to go ahead safely.

“I know this will come as a huge disappointment to many people, particularly local families, and I share that disappointment but it really is outwith our control.”

It is the second year in a row the display has had to be cancelled, with covid-19 restrictions to blame last year.