'Good Guys' scheme goes off with a bang

Photo: Sam Kutereba-Wall

Littleborough bonfire and firework display

The borough’s firework retailers have proved they really are ‘Good Guys’ as recent undercover tests found no premises selling fireworks to under 18s.

In total 19 premises were visited by two volunteers aged 16 and 17-years-old, who attempted to buy a variety of fireworks.

The stores visited refused the sales when photographic age identification could not be produced to prove the customers were over 18.

The volunteers were accompanied by officers from Rochdale Borough Council’s public protection service who had previously visited the retailers to remind them of their legal obligations.

Retailers selling fireworks are invited to sign up to council’s ‘Good Guy’ scheme, which encourages retailers to trade responsibly during the run-up to bonfire night.

This year 11 retailers signed up to the scheme, which has been operating since 2004, and agreed to follow a code of conduct that prevents firework nuisance, including not selling to people under 18, and only selling fireworks which comply with Pyrotechnic Articles (Safety) Regulations 2015, such as those with the ‘CE’ marking.

The ‘Good Guy’ retailers in the borough of Rochdale for 2018 are:

• Bulldog Fireworks, Unit 2 Southgate Industrial Estate, Heywood.
• Morrisons, Kingsway, Rochdale.
• Lidl, Spotland Road, Rochdale.
• Tesco, Park Road, Middleton.
• Tesco, Silk Street, Rochdale.
• J and S Wilkinson, 177 Rochdale Road, Rochdale.
• ASDA, Unit 2a Kingsway Retail Park, Rochdale.
• The Range, Unit 1, Kingsway Retail Park, Rochdale.
• GR8 Sports, Townhead Works, Lomax Street, Rochdale.
• Spot On, 126 Milkstone Road, Rochdale.
• ASDA, Dane Street, Rochdale.

Councillor Sara Rowbotham, cabinet member for health, said: “It’s really important for the wellbeing of our residents that businesses take their duty to be responsible when selling age-restricted products seriously.

“We are very pleased to see that all premises tested passed and encourage residents to stay safe this bonfire night by attending an organised firework display.”

The exercise was conducted as part of the Safe4Autumn Treacle campaign, a joint campaign between the council, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service, Greater Manchester Police (GMP), and Trading Standards aimed at ensuring everyone has a safe and enjoyable bonfire night.