IT was one of the biggest New Year parties in Manchester - and also one of the worst.
Hundreds of revellers packed into Albert Square as the Town Hall clock approached midnight, hoping to celebrate the beginning of 2008 with a bang.
But many were left disappointed when they realised the city council had arranged no music, no countdown and no official fireworks to mark the New Year.
As cities such as London, Leeds and Newcastle threw a party to remember, muted cheers and the odd party popper were all that Manchester could muster, leaving the expectant audience feeling a little flat.
"I don't think there was any kind of atmosphere at all," said Darren Jones, 31, a roofer from Moss Side.
"I bet that in Liverpool it would have been better. They could have put on some music, maybe had someone famous to do the countdown, but there was nothing."
With an hour to go before midnight, Albert Square was almost empty, save for the enormous Santa and a few street vendors selling novelty bunny ears.
However, as people began to spill out of pubs and clubs, over 1,000 packed in to see the clock strike twelve.
And while a few small rockets were set off to ring in the New Year by members of the crowd, the general feeling was one of anti-climax.
Laura Greenwood, 22, a childcare education worker from Levenshulme and Vicky Hughes, 20, a trainee dental nurse from Moss Side, turned up expecting to see a show.
"We came here because we thought there were going to be fireworks," said Ms Greenwood. "With a bit of a countdown and a bit of music it would have been all right, but the atmosphere was quite nice."
Ms Hughes said: "It would have been a damn sight better if there were fireworks."
Council bosses had decided not to organise any form of party, claiming that the combination of alcohol and large crowds would make such an event unworkable.
Around the country millions were treated to spectacular New Year's celebrations, with over 700,000 braving the elements to watch an eleven minute firework show on the banks of the Thames in London.
In Edinburgh the fireworks were accompanied by the firing of a gun from the castle's ramparts, while Liverpool played host to a free concert. Bristol, Birmingham and Leeds all organised pyrotechnic displays.
The sky above Sydney Harbour Bridge was lit up by a series of spectacular explosions, and more than a million New Yorkers watched a giant crystal ball descend as part of their traditional countdown.
Should the council have done more to mark the New Year? Have your say.
Tweet
Comments
Login or Register to comment
UNBELIEVABLE!!, no wonder there is so much criticism of manchester city council if they fail in the most fundamental provision of a new years eve countdown.
Why not forget xmas lights next year because a few morons misbehave at xmas time?
Take a lesson all those parochial amateurs at the town hall, look at sydney, london, edinburgh, how can manchester be on the world city stage without even a countdown at new year?, PATHETIC!!
im ashamed to be mancunian
From what we've seen from these local authorities, I don't feel there is sufficient reason for Manchester residents to truly celebrate. Perhaps people can celebrate their own lives, but collectively under this regime? What for?
If it would have had an Irish or some other kind of ethnic theme to it then maybe the councils policy would have been different.
It's because they had blown 10 million quid on the congestion charge. Remember this labour council is only out to financially penalise you not let you enjoy yourself, what were you thinking.
when they closed the christmas market before christmas eve they said in the MEN...the council that is....that it had to shut then as they had to get the sqr ready for new years eve as the workmen dont work over xmas....??? what was they getting it ready for then....??
Thant's this council for you, garbage, They wouldn't give a door a slam!
Do Looney Labour really deserve to run Manchester City Council.I think not.
A carbon-neutral new year then - no CO2 from fireworks, energy used for electronics, noise and music.
Isn't this a shining example to the rest of the world?
I love the comparison with Sydney...with the best will in the world salford Quays is hardly Bondi Beach!
I used to go to Maine Road every week expecting to see riveting football, that didn't happen either . Tough, fireworks are expensive and polluting .. they are NOT needed.
Council bosses had decided not to organise any form of party, claiming that the combination of alcohol and large crowds would make such an event unworkable.
That's why London is by far the best city in the country for organising world class events. Such a shame that alcohol gets the blame when millions are pumped into promoting the Manchester nightlife.
Of course we should have official fireworks to celebrate New Year.
We're supposed to be a major European city and the miserable council couldn't be bothered to give us a proper celebration.
The MEN should create a petition to get the council to put on a major fireworks display in the city centre for the start of 2009.
Total waste of time for those who braved the cold to turn up. Pathetic effort by this useless Council.
It seems dumb to me that people would assume that the City was planning something without checking it first...
I think that by 'unworkable' they probably mean 'too costly' as clearly numerous other places were able to stage some kind of event. We do seem to be becoming obsessed with fireworks at every possible occasion though, I dont remember them when I was growing up or that much before the 2000 celebrations.
I agree with much of what's already been said on here. I worry about Manchester City Council. On so many levels they seem to be absurdly complacent, convinced that Manchester is already a world-class city and therefore need to make the minimum of effort with the way it presents itself to the outside world. I believe the other article announcing the fact that MCC wouldn't be doing anything for new year suggested that it was because the public can't be trusted to behave themselves -- an attitude totally at odds with MCC's 24-hour-city aspirations. What image of Manchester is the council trying to portray to the outside world? I'm not sure they know themselves.
(Having said all that, if MCC had put on a display, this website would be awash with moaners whinging that the council had wasted yet more of their taxes that could be spent on hospitals, schools, buses, etc. In some people's eyes, MCC can never win.)
Of course Manchester City Council did not put on a display or music etc, they did not have any money in the pot for it after spending a fortune on that hideous Santa how scary is he!!!!
No one has commented on the 1,800 emergency service calls made on New Year's Eve in London? Proof surely that the British are unable to party and drink in a way that is common the rest of the world over. The Coucnil is right to not risk injuries and mayhem at this time of year.
Octavius Tinsworth Ace
Im in full agreement but saying that dosnt MCC do what it wants and never considers its ratepayers?They say one thing but mean another? they call us a foreward thnking council and a 24/7 party city but then dosnt celebrate the very thing that makes a city vibrant (fireworks and music) So no wonder people feel cheated.They turn up in albert square expecting the council to put some form of entertainment on.But no doubt that pat karney Etc celebrated the christmas holidays in a real city that looks after its citizens?
alcohol & large crowds make holding an event unworkable - only if the organisers are drunk! Maybe if there was more of a family oriented event on offer it would create a better event
I watched the New Year celebrations going on round Britain and the rest of the world and was ashamed that Manchester wasn't there to be counted. Even Liverpool managed to celebrate the event and entertain it's citizens. I hope this council will be regreting their poor showing over Christmas (early closing of Markets)and the New Year when it's time to vote. They couldn't organise a brewery trip (being polite). What will they do with all the money they saved from not celebrating, will it go to good causes, will they restore Picadilly Garden to it's formour beauty and pull down the Berlin Wall monstrosity? We will never know because it will be squandered on some mindless, useless scheme that only benefits the councillors.
The council have no money, they wasted it all on "The big Bang"
They've forgotten one of the most vital nescessities in life...how to throw a partee....scatter.
How right David North M/Cr is, of course it would be much different if the "Irish" were involved> Because we actually get up of our backsides & organise our own festivities, something that David & the other whingeing mancs. should try.MCC does a good job all year round & much like us market traders who do not want to trade upto Christmas Eve, they have families who they too like to enjoy a break with over Xmas & New Year. If you want celebrations & parties organise your own& do not forget H&S, Policing, Ambulance, Security & clean up costs which we Irish & Ethnics have to pay for! Wise up these events can't just happen!!!
QUOTE "Wasted all their money on the Big Bang!" /QUOTE
I had NO idea that Manchester City Council were responsible for the creation of the Universe! Mind you, it does explain why the councillors are full of self importance...
Another chance passed for our fair city to make it's mark and get some publicity. The 24 hour party people are being hindered by what feels like it is becoming a 24 hour part-time city. We should be leading the way with the innovation this city is famouse for instead of letting others take the limelight. Especially in a year when we are going to have Liverpool and the "cheeky" residents up the east lancs rammed down our throats ad-infinitum.
Come on Manchester, pull yer finger out!