Extra Diwali activities rejected over safety concerns

There will be no fireworks or staged entertainment, as in previous years, on the Golden Mile

A proposal to stage fireworks and cultural activities as part of this year's Leicester Diwali celebrations has been rejected over safety concerns.

Leicester City Council plans to illuminate the Golden Mile, on Belgrave Road, and close it to traffic on 20 October to allow people to celebrate the Festival of Light, but there will be no fireworks or staged entertainment, as in previous years.

The Belgrave Business Association has said it fears the event will be "hollowed out" and submitted its own plans for additional activities to the authority.

However, the council said on Wednesday the proposals had been ruled out by the city's Safety Advisory Group (SAG).

The SAG consists of all emergency services, Leicester City Council as the event organisers and Showsec.

The Wheel of Light will be retained, the council said

Leicester mayor Sir Peter Soulsby said: "I completely understand and share the great desire to make Leicester's Diwali celebrations as good as they can be.

"I thought that some of the suggestions put forward by the local community were achievable, but the Safety Advisory Group has rejected them all.

"I'm disappointed that as a result there won't be any additional activities, and I hope this is something the SAG will review next year."

Belgrave Business Association spokesperson Nisha Popat said the organisation had proposed fireworks displays at either end of the Golden Mile on the night and four stages simultaneously used for dance and music.

The business association would have funded the activities and provided volunteer stewards to work alongside council-funded stewards to ensure crowd safety, she said.

'Much-loved event'

Mrs Popat said: "We felt we put forward a safe plan. We understand the importance of health and safety.

"The problem has been the pinchpoint where people gather in large numbers near Cossington Recreation Ground.

"Our plan would have used the whole stretch of the Golden Mile, which would have spread the crowd out.

"The Diwali celebrations are so important for the community and local businesses.

"Our worry is that this year's Diwali will be hollowed out."

Leicester East MP Shivani Raja said: "Leicester's Diwali celebrations on the Golden Mile are world-renowned and a true symbol of community, culture, and economic vibrancy in our city."

She said she had written to the chief constable of Leicestershire Police to raise important safety concerns and was lobbying the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport "to ensure this much-loved event goes ahead as it should".

She added: "The Belgrave Business Association has my full backing in its efforts to protect Diwali celebrations, and I will continue doing everything I can to support them and our community in safeguarding this cherished tradition."