Oldham residents 'sick to death' of fireworks problem

For years, residents across the borough have complained about the "recurring nightmare" as loud, industrial fireworks are reportedly let off at unsociable hours - beyond the legal cut-off time of 11pm. 

Last year, The Palm Suite wedding venue on Middleton Road was identified as a hotspot for the nuisance.

Get the latest news delivered straight to your inbox by signing up to The Oldham Times’ morning and evening newsletters as well as our breaking news alerts 

While the manager refuted claims it permitted guests to ignite the explosions on its site, discarded boxes of display-grade fireworks and waste had been found in its car park and footage seemed to show wedding guests holding smoke 'grenades'.

Oldham Council hit the venue with a banning order on August 31, 2023.

Discarded boxes of used fireworks were found near the venue last year (Image: Carole Schofield)

However, it's not the only venue that is being accused.

Residents said last year The Eastern Pavilion, on Featherstall Road South, was a potential suspect after another box of used fireworks had been found just opposite the venue towards the Grand Millon restaurant.

The venue told The Oldham Times last year that it has a "strict policy against fireworks" but admitted in the past, guests have been known to cross the main road to set off fireworks from the restaurant's car park.

However, residents say they are once again experiencing a sleepless summer with fireworks going off all across the borough which "sound like bombs" and "light up" bedrooms from 12am onwards.

A man told The Oldham Times that fireworks have been going off "almost daily" on Lee Street, Coppice, as well as mopeds and "non-stop drums" around Copster Hill Road on weekends which he said "sound like wedding-type drums".

He also captured the moment Featherstall Road South had 'turned red' with smoke grenades, believed to be used again by wedding guests, near the Eastern Pavilion venue over the weekend.

A spokesperson for The Eastern Pavilion again told The Oldham Times that the fireworks allegation isn't true.

He said: "I can assure you no fireworks were set off from the venue.

"The red flares are not fireworks and do not cause any noise however we do not like them and are working on stopping their use.

"The drums are only played around 8pm at the latest on the entrance of the groom.

"Events at our venue normally finish at 11.30pm and it’s mostly in people’s residential homes the fireworks are let off.

"Every time fireworks are let off it seems people always blame the venue but the large majority of the time, it is nowhere near the venues."

Seemingly corroborating this, residents have reported fireworks coming from residential homes in recent weeks.

Fireworks debris in Chadderton last month (Image: Melanie Haigh)

Melanie Haigh from Chadderton said she called the police after "extremely industrial and dangerous fireworks" were let off on a residential street which saw neighbours' cars "covered in debris the following morning".

Michael Green also captured the "shocking" sound and scale of the fireworks coming from Copster Hill Road or Chamber Road.

He said the problem is "anytime between 11 until 12.30am in a morning" and is "bad all year round".

Even more images show Coppice Park had become littered with fireworks debris after another late-night 'celebration' on July 31 while another man said fireworks had also been let off and discarded on Clayton Playing Fields.

Despite the perpetual nuisance, residents say the problem persists because of a lack of accountability.

In emails seen by The Oldham Times, a man who reported the issue to the council was told to contact the police.

However, he said when he contacted the force, he was told nothing could be done.

He added: "It's like getting a different answer from every person who's meant to be dealing with all this, everyone passing the buck.

"It's an endless loop which is why the matter is out of hand - no one is taking responsibility. It isn't new, it's going on years now."

On social media, Chris Marshall said he is "sick to death" of the fireworks and described it as an "endemic problem in Oldham".

A resident, who wished to remain anonymous, also said the fireworks is "disturbing sleep" for people who work very early - and for those who wake up for Tahajjud and Fajr prayers.

Nadia Ahmed, a mum with a five-month-old baby, said the fireworks have woken her baby "a couple times" in one week alone.

Meanwhile, Abdul Muktadir said: "Oldham Council needs to come down hard on every wedding venue.

"It is from around these venues fireworks are set off and mostly by youngsters who give absolutely no crap about the law, what other people think of or suffer from."

The issue even disturbed the leader of Oldham Council, Arooj Shah, who said there needs to be a "ban" on fireworks and slammed culprits as "inconsiderate and disrespectful". 

The law prohibits the use of fireworks between the hours of 11pm and 7am, except for New Year’s Eve, Diwali and Chinese New Year, when the cut off is 1am. 

The law also states that fireworks may only be purchased for private use between October 15 and November 10, December 26 and 30 and three days before Chinese New Year or Diwali.

At other times you can only buy fireworks from licensed shops.

Punishment for breaking these laws includes imprisonment for up to six months, being fined an unlimited amount and an on-the-spot £90 fine.

In June, Superintendent Phillip Hutchinson, from Greater Manchester Police’s Oldham district, said that once reports of nuisance fireworks are received, they work to assess the incident and make ensure they are being used 'within the confines of the law'.

He added: “I would ask anyone with any issues or concerns to continue to raise them with us or the council in order to aid us with our plan to tackle such anti-social behaviour."

Oldham Council also said earlier this year: "We are aware of the issues fireworks are having locally and we appreciate and understand the frustrations of residents.

“Rest assured we are taking the issue seriously and work is already underway with our partners, including GMP and Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service to address it.

“We’ll be inspecting businesses which sell fireworks to make sure they are sticking to the law and we’ll act if they aren’t.

“Last year we ordered a number of wedding venues to stop using fireworks after we received complaints – and we will do that again if it is required."

To report nuisance fireworks, the council said to make a report on the GMP website, email Oldham Council’s Environmental Health team at ENVhealth@oldham.gov.uk or call the independent charity, Crimestoppers, anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Got a story? Email me Olivia.bridge@newsquest.co.uk