Corby Liberal Democrats back residents’ campaign to save the Corby Fireworks and call on both councils to make it happen

Corby Liberal Democrats back the campaign to save the Corby Fireworks — and call on both councils to make it happen

Corby Lib Dems are urging North Northamptonshire Council and Corby Town Council to work with local residents to Save Corby Fireworks now, while there is still time to deliver a display this November.

Corby Liberal Democrats have today thrown their support behind the campaign to save the Corby Bonfire and Fireworks and are calling on North Northamptonshire Council (NNC) and Corby Town Council (CTC) to work with local campaigners to enable an event this year.

The free display at the boating lake has run since 1975, when it was set up by the then Corby Borough Council to draw people away from unofficial bonfires that were injuring residents and overwhelming the fire service. It draws thousands of people from Corby and the surrounding towns every November. In 2021 it was among the events NNC pledged to keep going when it took over as the unitary authority.

In May 2026, it emerged that NNC intended to end its funding and staffing of the event. A petition and a community campaign group were launched within days. In July, NNC’s executive member for communities told full council the authority was not in a position for the event to go ahead in 2026, citing cost and staffing, and expressed the hope that this would be a “fallow” year while another organisation came forward. NNC has said the cost rose from around £18,000 in 2022 to more than £45,000 last year, largely because of enhanced safety requirements.

A community campaign that deserves an answer, not a shrug

Corby Lib Dems are backing local residents and campaigners who have done so much to ensure this tradition continues. What is missing is not community will. It is a council willing to sit down at the table with them and unlock the things only a council can unlock: the site, the licences, the road closures, the safety plan, and a route to sponsorship.

Alex Lock, local Lib Democrat Champion said:

“The people of Corby stood up and were counted for. Within days of hearing the fireworks were for the chop, residents had a petition running and a campaign group up. That is our town at its best, and it deserves better than being told to try again next year.”

He added:

“NNC says it wants a community-led event. Corby Town Council says it does not have the staff to run one alone. Both may be right — but neither of those statements gets a single firework into the sky. These councils must back all efforts by the community, including with money and by expediting process such as a Safety Advisory Group.”

“A £45,000 event is not a rounding error, but nor is it beyond a council with a £400 million budget working alongside sponsors and a community campaign that has already proved how much support is out there. Asda sponsored this display in 1984. The idea that no business in Corby would put its name to it in 2026 has not been tested in public.”

On the handling of the decision, Alex said:

“What residents will not forgive is being briefed against behind closed doors while the parties argue among themselves. Corby is not a bargaining chip in somebody else’s internal row. Publish the costings, publish the decision, get everyone in a room, and let the town see who is actually trying to save this.”

What Corby Liberal Democrats are calling for

The party is calling on NNC and CTC to take five practical steps, jointly and immediately:

• Convene an open meeting within 14 days bringing together the residents’ campaign, CTC, NNC officers, the emergency services and potential sponsors, with a published note of what was agreed.
• Commit in principle to a large single free display for the 5^th November 2026 as per the Save Corby Fireworks campaign’s efforts
• Offer in-kind support rather than only cash — event management expertise, the existing safety and traffic plans, licensing and road-closure support, and use of council land and equipment. NNC has already said it will share its knowledge and experience; that offer needs to be turned into named officers and dates.
• Underwrite any financial shortfall as a backstop, jointly between NNC and CTC, so that sponsors and volunteers are not asked to carry the entire financial risk of a first community-run year.
• Publish the full cost breakdown, the safety requirements driving the increase, and the decision record, so residents can see for themselves what is and is not achievable and hold both councils to it.

Chris Stanbra, Leader of the Liberal Democrat group at Corby Town Council added:

“Corby Town Council does not have the statutory powers or the staffing of a unitary authority. It already delivers a full annual programme of events including Pride, the Spirit of Corby awards and Remembrance and it is adding to those events every year. Clearly the lead responsibility sits with NNC, which inherited the event, however, CTC can and should act as the convenor and local champion the community campaign needs. CTC should also be ready to help with money if that is what is needed. Not a blank cheque, but a contribution, along with others, that ensures Corby’s Fireworks continue. If that financial contribution from the Town Council is needed and an urgent decision is called for then Town Councillors must be ready to convene a meeting to make that decision as soon as it is required.”

The party is also urging residents to sign the petition, join the community campaign, and write to their NNC ward councillors and to Corby Town Council before the planning window for a November event closes.

Alex concluded:

“This is not really about fireworks. It is about whether the Leadership at either council is willing to fight for the things that make Corby feel like Corby. Half a century of tradition should not end in an email. Sit down with local campaigners, and let’s get it done.”