5 replies to this topic

[David]

Firework Awards

Well worth taking part in - its free, and a good idea.

The Categories are
" Best Retailer " which means anyone who sells fireworks as their main business IE excluding supermarkets, garden centres and the like.
" Best Shop " Best physical shop- IE best physical/brick and mortar shop. Almost certainly going to be the same as best retailer, surely, unless you vote "Best Retailer" for a shop that is online orders only. Or maybe your favourite shop doesn't do deliveries, so isn't the best all-round retailer.
" Best Brand " Eg Men shun, Epic etc
" Best Website "
" Best Firework " Cat 3, or Cat 2.
" Best Cat 2 " Best Garden firework.
" Best Cat 4 Brand " Self explaining, but to be honest I can't think of anyone who would have the experience to make this judgement other than professionals.
" Best Event " Really broad- best event at which fireworks were used. I think the focus is on the best fireworks at an event, rather than the event itself.

Edited by David, 20 October 2007 - 10:58 AM.

[David]

Result are in - Best Firework retailer is Firework Crazy , followed by Newsbox and The Firework store

Best Firework Shop is Newsbox followed by the Firework Store followed by Stealth Fireworks.

Best Brand is Brothers, best firework is Hercules.

Intereasting that the best shop and retailer awards went to business that don't carry their own brands, rather a selection of brands.

Also the best retailer doesn't have an all year round shop- something I would say was essential, although this is just personnal opinion. Personally I like to call into fireworks shops and pick up bits and bobs on a regular basis, rather than doing a single big mail-order- but thats just me!


Well done to all who won!

[The Legendary Graham]

hercules is very over priced even though it is good

[David]

hercules is very over priced even though it is good

For a consumer firework, the pricing is pretty standard- over 100 shots, with angled effects for about £50.

Also I'd think a lot of people got it at a significant discount, too. Thats the tricky thing wth RRPs- many people don't pay them!

For what I paid for Hercules, I'd say its very good- for the RRP, I'd say its not bad.

[Meggsy]

For what I paid for Hercules, I'd say its very good- for the RRP, I'd say its not bad.

I agree to some extent that it is overpriced, but as always Jo Public tends to pay through the nose without question as long as they aren't being ripped off, I always hate seeing pieces at the same price bracket (as Hercules) that perform well below their RRP. When Brothers moved into the market there were loads flying around and at a goood price, I still use them as filler here and there, think I'm down to my last 6 won't be that cheap again .....

From what I've seen of the new stuff for next year, notwithstanding the new regs, there are a few similarly great pieces....

[David]

These didn't run this year (2008), which was unfortunate, however it was a great project whilst it ran, and credit to Pete at the UKFR for all the time and effort that went into these- the link is still good, check out past winners etc.

Reflecting on "What might have been" had votes been cast this year, I wonder who would have won?

Best Retailer- Was the all-round award for a firework seller, including shop sales and online sales. It could be a seasonal but had to be a business whoes MAIN trade was in fireworks, so not (eg) Latiffs, likewise they have to be open to the public, so not trade only shops.

Best Shop- In practical terms, not very different from best retailer, but (I'm assuming) focusing more on the physical shop itself- opening times, easy of access, layout etc.

Not sure who would have got this, I know quite a few people bought from shops who would have been excluded from these cateogries.


The rest of the awards are self explanatory. I'm not sure what would have got Best Firework. Some dead good stuff from Epic this year- Whispering Palms being the stand out for me.

I probably would have voted for Men Shuns "Moonlight Eruption" AKA Guy Fawkes "Night Rider", I felt it used blackpowder well, and mixed effects and timining/duration were good too, with a very well recieved crossettes section.

Edited by David, 17 December 2008 - 04:13 AM.