Complaints about the University of Chester’s late-night firework display have prompted a review.
Explosions were heard across the city after 10.30pm last Thursday, with many neighbours unaware the pyrotechnics were going ahead at the main campus in Parkgate Road.
Residents took to Twitter to voice their grievances about noise in the late hours.
The display was held at a gala dinner for the university’s 175th anniversary - now they intend to find out why some addresses were not notified about the celebrations beforehand.
Letters to households
A spokesman for the University of Chester said: “A gala dinner was held on Thursday, June 25 to celebrate the 175th anniversary of the University of Chester.
“Guests included alumni, dignitaries from across Cheshire and recipients of honorary degrees from the university.
“A number of letters were hand-delivered to households in the area around the Parkgate Road campus to inform them of the fireworks display.
“Some households unfortunately did not receive this letter and we are reviewing our distribution lists.”
'Sounds like we're being bombed!'
Oliver Harry tweeted: “Chester university doing fireworks on a Thursday June work night. Grrrr. The city is not happy with you.”
Nick added: “It’s nearly 11pm and Chester sounds like we’re being bombed! How are people allowed to get away with it. Fireworks on a Thur?”
While the number of tweets seemed to confirm many were unaware the display was scheduled, the university stressed the timing complied with the rules.
Legal limits
The spokesman said: “The fireworks were managed by a professional company, operating within legal limits in terms of sound and safety and timing.
“This was no different to a display which would have marked a wedding or other private occasion, in addition to those dates at which fireworks are perhaps more expected in the area, such as November 5, New Year’s Eve, and indeed at this time of the year, even school proms on week nights, when the display is perhaps later than at other times, to guarantee darkness.”
Last week’s gala dinner was the latest in a series of occasions to mark 175 years since the university was established, but no further similar events are scheduled.
No more fireworks
The spokesman added: “The display on Thursday, which concluded just before 11pm, celebrated the university’s 175th anniversary and was the second and final such event this year.
“Other than in 2015, the last fireworks display hosted by the university was a decade ago. There are no other plans for such activities in the near future.”
The first fireworks event held by the university - at the former Lloyds Banking group headquarters in Queen’s Park which has been recently acquired by the university for its business school - took place in March.
Although that took place on a Saturday night and was extensively pre-promoted, there was some confusion regarding letters sent to neighbouring homes which residents regarded as invitations to what was a private event.
