A Ripon firm has warned people planning New Year’s Eve fireworks to stock up now because the supply chain crisis gripping the UK could lead to shortages.
Steve Raper, a consultant for Brightstar Fireworks in Melmerby, near Ripon, and chair of the British Fireworks Association told the Stray Ferret that a combination of factors, including driver shortages, high demand, extreme weather and even the 100th anniversary of the formation of the Chinese Communist Party were to blame.
Brightstar imports about 120 shipping containers of fireworks every year from China, which closed many factories over summer due to extreme heat.
The country’s leader Xi Jinping gave factory workers time off to celebrate the communist party’s anniversary, which has further squeezed the supply chain.
Mr Raper said the United States also lit more fireworks than usual for a bumper July 4th celebration this year.
He said:
“It’s not all doom and gloom but it’s bad. People will have to go out early and order their fireworks earlier from their supplier.
“We won’t see a major impact over bonfire season, it will be around New Year.”
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Mr Raper said covid led to increased demand for fireworks last year, which had led to supply issues this year.
He said the cost of importing a shipping container had also increased from around £8,000 to over £30,000.
He added:
“Because of covid, everybody was locked down hacked off and depressed, so they let fireworks off in their garden. There was lots of knock on effects. The demand was immense.
“However I’d much prefer to see a shortage of fireworks than health or medical supplies.
“The industry is doing everything it can to meet that demand.”
