“It’s going well, yes, certainly. We are happy that we can do it,” says Henk Mulder of Vuurwerkoutlet Assen. “How long, that’s the question. But so far it’s fun.”
At Mulder’s shop in the center of Assen there are fireworks buyers all day long. Or actually collectors, because enthusiasts must order in advance. They must then register for a time slot to pick up the order. “We are selling more than last year. But that makes sense with the ban that is coming. Then people will buy something extra.”
The ‘Safe New Year’s Eve’ initiative law was adopted this year by the Senate and the House of Representatives. But only takes effect if certain conditions are met. For example, there must be a clear enforcement plan and there must be an arrangement for entrepreneurs to receive compensation. That was not possible this year, but the government’s goal is to have it ready by next New Year.
Davey Prins is also busier at Van der Veen fireworks in Nieuw-Weerdinge than in previous years. “It runs smoothly all day long. And you notice that the orders are larger than in other years. The average expenditure is higher, but the number of orders is also higher.”
The customers of both entrepreneurs are fireworks enthusiasts; they hope that postponing the fireworks ban will lead to cancellation. “It’s a tradition and more and more traditions are leaving us,” complains one of the customers, who sees a way out. “Then I’ll continue with carbide shooting.”
Another customer doesn’t like New Year’s Eve without fireworks at all. “It’s all strange and confusing. What are you going to do at twelve o’clock? I think I’m going to bed early. There’s nothing left to stay up for.”