Portsmouth spectacular fireworks event to take place on Southsea Common - date and times
Portsmouth will host just one fireworks event this year - but a possible return to Cosham in the future could also be on the cards.
The Portsmouth City Council-organised annual firework display will take place at Southsea Common on Tuesday, 5 November, between 4pm and 8pm with stalls and entertainment on site.
A spectacular fireworks display will then take place from about 7pm-7.20pm, however, like last year, the event will not feature a bonfire.
It follows the trial last year where two events were originally planned - one in Southsea and one in Alexandra Park - to replace the popular event which had previously taken place on the King George V playing fields for many years. This was until the new football hub was built on the northern end of the site meaning it was then too small to continue in its previous format.
However bad weather and high winds led to a last-minute cancellation of the Hilsea event meaning there were no fireworks in the north of the city.
Now Portsmouth City Council has said that it had listened to residents’ feedback and this year will be going ahead with just the one event on Southsea Common.
A spokesperson confirmed: “Last year we planned to have two firework displays, one in the south of the city and one in the north. The event in the north was planned at Alexandra Park; many residents were opposed to the use of the field, and it didn't go ahead because of the weather.
“The event in the south was on Southsea Common, which is used for most of our big events in the city, and following the success of that event, we've decided to hold it there again this year.”
However, residents in the north of the city may have hope in the future that fireworks could return, with the council confirming it was looking at the possibility of the Cosham site being used again.
The spokesperson said: “While King George V is now an operational site again, following the opening of the new football hub in the spring, some improvements will need to be made to host events in the future, which we'll be reviewing over the coming months.”