Good Guy retailers promise to dampen down bonfire trouble

The ‘Good Guys’ scheme, sees traders sign up to range of measures around the safe sale of fireworks to ensure people stay safe during the autumn celebrations

Shops across the borough have promised to extinguish trouble this Halloween and Bonfire Night by pledging to be ‘Good Guy’ retailers.

The ‘Good Guys’ scheme, sees traders sign up to range of measures around the safe sale of fireworks to ensure people stay safe during the autumn celebrations.

Shops in the scheme have all agreed to operate Challenge 25, to only sell fireworks between 15 October and 10 November and to ensure all their fireworks bear the British Safety Standard.

Businesses in the scheme will display certificates to let people know that they are certified ‘Good Guys’ retailers.

To support this, test purchase exercises are taking place in shops across the borough, with anyone caught selling fireworks to children potentially facing a fine of up to £5,000 or six months imprisonment. 

Police and fire officers will also be visiting retailers in the run up to Bonfire Night advising on issues around anti-social behaviour and how to store fireworks safely.

Councillor Jacqui Beswick, Cabinet Member for Regulatory Services at Rochdale Borough Council, said: “Halloween and Bonfire Night are an enjoyable time but can easily be ruined if people misuse fireworks. Our priority is to protect people from harm and to ensure everyone has a safe and peaceful celebration.

“We would also encourage residents to attend one of the three fantastic bonfires and fireworks displays we have organised across the borough. That way they can enjoy a first class display in a completely safe environment.”

The following retailers are signed up to the Good Guys scheme: 

Rochdale:

• Asda, Dane Street 
• Lidl, Spotland Road 
• Aldi, Entwistle Road 
• Express Mart, Whitworth Road 
• The Range, Kingsway Retail Park 
• Asda, Kingsway Retail Park 
• Aldi, Edinburgh Way 
• Tesco, Silk Street 
• Morrisons, Kingsway
• Wilkinson, Rochdale Road, Milnrow
• Co-op, Station Road, Littleborough 

Heywood: 

• Bulldog Fireworks Displays, Lower Whittle Farm, Doctor Fold Lane 
• Morrisons, Dawson Street 

Middleton:

• Tesco, Barton Road 
• All in One Garden Centre, Rochdale Road 
• Middleton News, Unit 4G Middleton Shopping Centre