Birmingham Diwali event postponed due to safety concerns

The Soho Road BID team said the Birmingham Diwali Mela 2025 has been postponed due to safety fears and evolving statutory requirements.

Organisers issued a statement ahead of the event, which features music, fairground rides, food and fireworks on Soho Road in Handsworth and which was meant to take place on Sunday.

The Soho Road BID team said that it had looked at every possible alternative to allow it to run the event, but stated evolving requirements and referenced the recent terrorist attack in Manchester and Martyn's Law.

Martyn's Law was passed in April under the Terrorism Protection of Premises Act, which requires publicly accessible venues to implement security measures and preparedness plans against terrorist attacks.

It followed the Manchester Arena attack when 22 people were killed and 116 injured in a suicide bombing on May 2017 and was named after 29-year-old Martyn Hett, one of the victims in the blast.

A spokesman for Soho Road BID said: "This notice is issued by the Soho Road Business Improvement District (BID) for the attention of all BID Levy Payers, stakeholders and our community.

"Following our latest meeting with the Safety Advisory Group (SAG), it has been determined that the event cannot go ahead as planned.

"This conclusion was reached after careful consideration, prioritising the safety and wellbeing of all potential attendees as highlighted by the recent attack in Manchester and evolving statutory requirements, including Martyn’s Law.

"We are actively engaged in ongoing dialogue with the SAG to secure a future date for the postponed 10th Birmingham Premier Diwali Mela (2025).

"We share the disappointment felt by the community and all stakeholders and assure you that every possible avenue was explored in the effort to host this event as scheduled.

"The Soho Road BID remains committed to the safety, prosperity, and vibrancy of our local area, and we will provide further updates on rescheduling in due course."

The 10th edition of the Birmingham Premier Diwali Mela was due to feature performances from popular Punjabi artists Kulwinder Billa, Nirmal Sidhu, and Amar Hayer, among others, and was expected to draw large crowds to the Soho Road area. 

Organisers have said they are looking at dates to reschedule the event for.