Firework traders told to get a licence or face a £5,000 fine

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Local traders are being warned that they could face a fine of up to £5,000 or six months in prison if they store or sell fireworks in the run-up to Guy Fawkes Night without a licence from Renfrewshire Council.

The licensing period for Guy Fawkes is 15 October until 10 November. If traders want to sell fireworks outside these dates, they must get another licence.

Traders are also being reminded that it is against the law to sell fireworks to anyone who is under 18 years old or who looks like they're under 18.

By law, traders have to take appropriate steps when they store fireworks to:

• prevent fire or explosion
• limit the extent of fire or explosion
• protect people from the effects of fire or explosion

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

Renfrewshire Council trading standards officers will check up on firework retailers over the next few weeks to make sure they are complying with the law.

Councillor Marie McGurk, convener of the council’s environment and infrastructure board, said: "Safety is our key concern at this time of year. Last Guy Fawkes, no-one was injured by fireworks and we want to keep that 100% record. 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."

Traders can get a licence to store and sell fireworks from Renfrewshire Council’s trading standards team. They cost £86 for a first-time licence and £43 for a renewal. A licence takes approximately two weeks to issue.

Press release: Tuesday 30 October 2007