Get fireworks licence or face £5,000 fine traders warned

Oct 27 2008 by Bryan Brough, Paisley Daily Express

SHOPKEEPERS have been warned they face being given a rocket by trading standards chiefs if they break tough rules on the sale of fireworks.

Law officers were yesterday targeting shops that are storing and selling fireworks to make sure the correct safety measures are in place.

And traders have been told they face a hefty £5,000 fine if they are operating without the necessary licence to handle squibs during the run-up to Bonfire Night.

Offenders could even be jailed for six months if they are not legally covered for the period stretching from now until November 10.

And, if businesses want to sell fireworks outside these dates, a further licence is required.

The spot-checks are being carried out by trading standards officers from Renfrewshire Council, supported by the police.

Any trader who hasn’t got the appropriate licence from the council faces a heavy penalty.

A police spokesman said: “The licensing period for Guy Fawkes Night is from now until November 10. If traders want to sell fireworks outside these dates, a further licence is needed.

“Traders are also being reminded that it is against the law to sell fireworks to anyone who is under 18 years of age or who looks like they’re under 18.”

The Manufacture and Storage of Explosives Regulations 2005 mean that, when storing fireworks, traders have to take appropriate steps to prevent fire or explosion, limit the extent of fire or explosion and protect people from the effects of fire or explosion.

The regulations also mean that anyone storing more than 5kg of explosives must register with the council and may need to get a licence.

The police spokesman added: “Trading standards officers from the local authority are checking up on firework retailers to make sure they are complying with the law.”

Councillor Marie McGurk, convener of Renfrewshire’s Environment and Infrastructure Board, said: “Safety is our key concern at this time of year. Last Guy Fawkes Night, no-one was injured by fireworks and we want to keep that 100 per cent record intact.

“The safest fireworks display is a properly planned and organised event but we want to make sure that, if people are buying fireworks for their own use, they are buying them from a properly licensed trader who stores them correctly.”

A licence to store and sell fireworks costs £100, although the fee is only £50 for those renewing an existing licence.

It takes approximately two weeks for a licence to be issued.