Analysis of Google search data reveals that online searches for ‘Buy Fireworks’ in the UK skyrocketed 488% on the 20th of December, the day that Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London, announced that there will be no firework display in Trafalgar Square this year. This is due to fear amid the Omicron variant. Other areas have followed suit in cancelling their large events.

A new finding by creative resource Design Bundles reveals that online interest in ‘Buy fireworks’ skyrocketed to five times the average volume in one day.

The data also reveals that these searches are only in England, as Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland have not yet announced any firework display cancellations. Newcastle, Sunderland, and Truro in Cornwall are amongst the list of places in England that have cancelled their displays for New Year’s Eve this year.

The research also found the search for ‘Laws on Fireworks’ has seen an unprecedented spike on the 21st of December – the day after the announcement. You can see by the Google trends data below that the searches for this term explode.

A spokesperson for Design Bundles, which conducted the study, said:

“New Year’s Eve can be an extremely important time for people, and they wish to bring in the New Year in a special way. It is a shame to see that we are in the same place as last year with no large events able to go ahead, but as fears and cases are rising, it is truly understandable. This research highlights that despite UK residents being unable to attend public firework displays, they can host their own in their gardens and households. It is also reassuring to see the searches in checking appropriate laws – perhaps for these home displays”.