PUBLICAN Paul Cooper changed the fortunes of his Bricket Wood pub and discovered he had a potentially explosive business on his hands all in a flash.

After taking over the reins at the Old Fox in School Lane 18 years ago, Mr Cooper realised he had to boost the flagging trade and decided a firework display was the best way to pull in the crowds.

Now the annual Guy Fawkes display is regarded as one of the the biggest and best fireworks nights in the district, second only to the Verulamium extravaganza.

And the company which he formed as a result, The Foxy Fireworks Company, has established itself as a major player in the industry taking large numbers of bookings including last year's Rounhay Festival in Leeds, attended by more than 120,000 people.

"We can cater for practically any event, from a small birthday party to the largest wedding or festival.

"Charges range from £500 to £25,000 but our aim is to provide value for money. Our profit margins are probably smaller than our competitiors but the proof of our success is that most of our bookings come from word of mouth," he said

Mr Cooper, who is partnered in the business by fellow Bricket Wood resident Dave Polhill, was recently booked to give the display at the Gardens of the Rose annual Last Night of the Proms event and was immediately re-booked following a successful firing.

Organiser Julian Tatlock said: "The display exceeded all our expectations and proved a dazzling finale to a wonderful evening."

But Mr Cooper, a former pupil of St Columba's College in King Harry Lane, St Albans, has no plans to call a halt to pulling pints although running Foxy Fireworks is becoming increasingly time consuming.

"I think Foxy Fireworks is going to have a break for a few months before the busy season begins with the run up to November 5," he said.

But with the possibility of a contract with a national hotel group and bookings with several Cambridge colleges in the offing he is not expecting the quiet times to last long.

August 20, 2002 19:30