Leicester’s Diwali celebrations will not feature any additional activities this year, it has been confirmed. Leicester City Council announced in July that the yearly festivities will be stripped back to just lights along the Golden Mile and the Wheel of Light amid safety concerns.

The move means there will be no fireworks or stage entertainment this Diwali, while Cossington Street Recreation Ground will not be used for this year's celebrations at all. The local authority said this was needed to avoid the “potentially dangerous”, “massive” crowds Diwali attracts, but opposition groups said the move will “gut” the celebrations and could harm a “major economic lifeline” for local shops and restaurants . Tens of thousands of visitors flock to the Golden Mile each year for the Hindu fest

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