Ban on cutting or not, sales are good in Alkmaar. ‘115 euros is quite a price for two minutes’

Stijn de Vries (19) and Johan van Dorsten (18) want to spend approximately 100 euros at the CNB Vuurwerk sales point in Alkmaar. They are sitting at a standing table on Saturday afternoon looking over an order list. Around them are the cakes and compounds – boxes from which a complete fireworks show is displayed after lighting – with names such as El Gigante, Hexenkraut and Casa de Papel. Anyone who doesn’t say anything can watch videos of the promised effects on a screen in the corner.

The two have pooled money with a group of friends and now mainly want to buy decorative cakes with it. “It’s actually a waste of money,” says Van Dorsten, as he uses the calculator on his phone to calculate which options fit within the budget. “But yes, you are only allowed once a year,” says De Vries.

Or well, not actually. This year, for the first time, lighting is not permitted within the Alkmaar municipal boundaries. A total of nineteen municipalities in the Netherlands have imposed a cross-cutting ban this year. Municipalities cannot ban sales, so since Saturday it has been possible for Alkmaarders to buy their decorative pots and fountains at CNB Vuurwerk. In the point of sale, next to the screen with fireworks videos, there is a small note reminding buyers of the fireworks ban.

The mayor has already indicated that it cannot actually be enforced as long as there is no national ban

The ban does not prevent the duo from buying fireworks. “The mayor has already indicated that it cannot actually be enforced as long as there is no national ban,” says De Vries. “And I live two minutes away from Sint Pancras, so it is allowed there again. That is a bit contradictory, of course.” And were law enforcement officers allowed to visit on New Year’s Eve? “Then we will take it with us,” says Van Dorsten, laughing: the municipal boundaries are easily crossed.

Patronizing

Robert den Brink (40) has just made his choice and is taking a Twilight with him this year. He watched a video of it. “This one appealed to me. I’m not a big consumer, but it’s just tradition.” Den Brink has to pay 115 euros for his decorative pot. “Quite a price for two minutes, but okay. You have to do something.”

He hears in his environment that many people find the ban on cutting off patronizing. “It’s just another beautiful tradition that is being destroyed.” According to him, the dangers are mainly associated with illegal fireworks, not the type of products that are for sale at legal fireworks stores. For a number of years, fireworks such as firecrackers and flares have no longer been allowed. “That is an excellent development, you must of course limit dangers as much as possible. But apart from that you don’t have to change it much.”

Referendum

The cutting ban in Alkmaar was introduced after the municipality held a referendum this summer. 65.6 percent voted in favor of a ban. . Not a surprising result, says Fabian Klinkenberg of CNB Vuurwerk. The referendum was held simultaneously with the European Parliament elections. “The group that comes to vote for this is more left-wing. And the left side of politics is always in favor of a fireworks ban.”

On Saturday afternoon, people continuously enter Klinkenberg’s store during the first sales day. However, he does notice the consequences of the ban in online pre-orders, which account for three-quarters of his turnover. “Normally half of them come from Alkmaar. That has really been halved. Fortunately, we also have a lot of customers from Heerhugowaard.” He expects to achieve a total of 30 percent less turnover from fireworks sales this year.

Research by Achmea shows that there is a lot of uncertainty. Half of the residents of municipalities with a ban on cross-cutting are not aware of this.

41 percent disapproved

In its annual test, the Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate (ILT) rejected 41 percent of the inspected consumer fireworks this year. That is considerably more than last year, when 21 percent was rejected. The rejected products may not be sold and must be destroyed by the importers.

According to Klinkenberg, only a few products have been rejected by his supplier. He sees merit in a stricter inspection. “Reject half of them if necessary, but let people keep those decorative fireworks. Otherwise you will take something away from a lot of enthusiasts.”

However unfortunate he finds the Alkmaar ban, Klinkenberg has accepted it. “Fortunately, we are not dependent on fireworks sales,” he says. His family’s company has a wholesale and online store in Japanese kitchenware and tableware. The annual fireworks sale, which is held in a corner of his warehouse, is a side issue. “We really enjoy doing it and we certainly get something out of it. But for us it is nil.”

Uncertainty about ban

Mayor Anja Schouten finds the fireworks rules “very clear”, as stated on the website of the municipality of Alkmaar. “You are not allowed to light fireworks, never.” But according to Achmea, there is uncertainty among residents due to the differences between municipalities. The insurance group had research conducted which showed that half of the residents of municipalities with a ban on cutting off are not aware of this. There is also a group of people who think that there is a ban in their municipality, but that is not the case.

Schouten calls for “creating new traditions together.” Light shows are held in Alkmaar to ring in the new year. Fireworks buyer Den Brink doesn’t care much about that. “There are no good alternatives yet this year. I hope that there will be lots of beautiful fireworks.”

However, things will change in the long term, seller Klinkenberg also thinks. He has seen public opinion shift. “When we started using fireworks fifteen years ago, they did not yet have the negative charge that they do now. I believe that a majority is now in favor of a complete ban. Of course, I am not completely objective, but I also think it is a bit of people’s own responsibility to handle it safely.”