The Blackheath Fireworks has been cancelled for the fifth year in a row as Lewisham Council can’t spend money “for just one night”.

In 2019, the Blackheath Fireworks were cancelled due to a “lack of funding”.

After a successful fundraiser aimed at reviving the event for the following year, Lewisham Council approved the event to take place in 2020.

However, the display was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Since 2021, the event has been cancelled every year, and the ongoing cost-of-living crisis has led to its cancellation once again this year.

Lewisham Council has been facing “severe financial pressures” after 14 years of significant funding cuts from previous governments, which, according to the council, reduced its annual budget in Lewisham by £157 million.

A statement on the Lewisham Council website says: “We have to prioritise funding and need to focus our limited financial resources on maintaining essential local services and supporting our most vulnerable residents. 

“During a cost-of-living crisis, we cannot justify spending money on community fireworks for just one night over vital services needed throughout the year including adult social care and children’s services. 

“Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the fireworks display in Blackheath was funded almost exclusively for many years by Lewisham Council, supported by community fundraising.

“We will continue exploring possible options for the future and remain open to offers of sponsorship and external funding.”

The Blackheath Fireworks are among several fireworks events in south London that have been cancelled, including the annual Round Table Carshalton Fireworks, which was intended to be replaced by the Carshalton Parks Fireworks, but that event was also cancelled.

Despite these cancellations, several firework displays are still scheduled to take place in south London this year, including the Beckenham Charity Fireworks which has been ongoing since 1946.