Standard Fireworks advert from 1928
Standard fireworks poster from 1928, showing children playing with fireworks

Standard Fireworks
TypeLimited company
Founded1891 (1891) in Huddersfield, West Riding of Yorkshire
FounderJames Greenhalgh
Headquarters
Huddersfield
ProductsPyrotechnics
Number of employees
100+
ParentBlack Cat Fireworks
Websitewww.blackcatfireworks.co.uk

Standard Fireworks is a former British-based firework company, now a brand name of Chinese firm Black Cat Fireworks.

History

Standard's history began in 1891, when it was founded by James Greenhalgh in Huddersfield.[1] Due to expansion, in 1910 the firm moved to its current site in Crosland Hill where, during the First and Second World Wars, the company produced munitions for the war effort.

In 1959 the company was floated on the Stock Market and a period of domination in the UK fireworks industry began, with many retailers having to wait several years for an account with the company. In 1988 Standard bought Brocks Fireworks Ltd. This led to all firework activity being transferred to the Huddersfield site making Standard one of the largest employers in the Yorkshire region, with over 500 workers.

In 1998 Standard went into receivership.[2] They were purchased by China-based Black Cat Fireworks, bringing an end to production in the UK.[3] The Standard brand is now one of several trading names of Black Cat in the UK, with the former Standard offices now the UK headquarters for this operation.[1]

A box of Standard Fireworks was at the centre of a story that comedian Bob Mortimer told on the TV show Would I Lie To You?[4]

References

  1. 1 2 Tweedie, Andrew. "Standard Fireworks". Gracesguide.co.uk. Retrieved 2 November 2018.
  2. ↑ Bond, Chris (3 November 2005). "A blast from the past". The Yorkshire Post. Leeds. Retrieved 2 November 2018.
  3. ↑ Rowe, Mark (1 November 1998). "British fireworks industry fizzles out". The Independent. London. Archived from the original on 24 May 2022. Retrieved 2 November 2018.
  4. ↑ "Did Bob Mortimer once set fire to his house with a box of fireworks? - Would I Lie to You? [CC]". YouTube. Archived from the original on 19 December 2021. Retrieved 23 October 2021.
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