About Us
Our old shop front, now Aura (formerly Montague's Gallery). We are through the blue gate and up the alley to the left.
Whizzz Bang Fireworks is a family business that has been in the firework trade for over 65 years. We bring a wealth of retail firework knowledge, and will give you all the tips you need to fire your fireworks safely yourself. Whether you want a bespoke self-fire package or just help choosing the odd firework for your garden, we are here to help, and we have an ever-growing small garden range too.
We aim to give every customer good old-fashioned personal service, the kind that is so rarely found in shops these days. Whatever the celebration and whatever your budget, we have the right whizzers and bangers for you. If you need a hand finding us, see our Contact Us page.
What we do
- Retail fireworks, from a single firework or a selection box to a full display in a box. We buy from 6 different importers and offer over 9 ranges, probably the largest selection for miles.
- Self-fire packages, designed to your budget, personalised or themed.
- Professional firework displays across Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Middlesex and beyond, for weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, religious celebrations, corporate events, christenings, memorials, Bonfire Night and New Year.
- Site surveys, plus advice on health and safety and insurance for public displays.
We are well known for our service, with a loyal customer base that stretches from Cornwall and Wales up to Manchester.
Our story
Whizzz Bang grew out of Montague's Newsagents, which has served the local community since 1934 and is now into its fourth generation. In John's own words:
"Whizzz Bang Fireworks is around 30 years old in name, yet represents a progressive arm of Montague's Newsagents. Mr Montague, my stepfather, was involved in the sale of retail fireworks from 1934. I have been involved since the 1960s, and Alison since 1977. The arrival of my son, Jonathan, on November 5th 1967 gave me the perfect excuse to develop my skills in putting on a good show, and that perfect timing is something I have always strived to echo in every professional display. To achieve it, I travelled the country to many different importers, viewing every single firework that we sell or use professionally."
John Paddon
Montague's old showroom welcoming Guy Fawkes to draw a raffle, around 2000.
Alison, John's daughter, now heads up Whizzz Bang Retail and Whizzz Bang Mortars Professional Shows, using the same ethos, skills and knowledge her father taught her. She has been selling fireworks since she started as a Saturday girl at 11, and grew up with years of firework parties, watching the successes as well as the mistakes. After working outside the family business, becoming a mum and gaining a BA (Honours) degree as a mature student, Alison returned to lead the business. She also built and later sold her own bouncy castle and games hire business, A&K Events Ltd, to concentrate on Whizzz Bang. Rolling up her sleeves behind the counter and restocking in high season still comes as second nature.
John and Ali in the new showroom, 2008.
Meet the team
Our fantastic team is Alie, Nathan, Byron, Sammie, Jon and Steve. Sammie, John's only granddaughter, joined the shop in 2016, and since fireworks are in her blood she is now an integral part of the shop and delivery team. You can usually find one of the family in the shop any day in peak season.
What our customers say
We prefer to let our customers do the talking!
Public displays
Waterford Recreation Ground Fireworks Display, 2017
Chipperfield Common Fireworks Display, 2015
"This must be one of the best local displays."
YouTube viewer, November 2015
"On behalf of the Chipperfield Clarendon Cricket Club may I say a very big thanks for the superb firework display that you and the team gave us on Sat 1 November. The timing, design and your overall display management of the fireworks was spot on. The 2000+ crowd thought it was the best ever! It goes without saying that the cricket club will recommend Whizzzbang for displays in the future!"
Graham Leach, Chipperfield Clarendon Cricket Club, 2014
"Thanks for another great firework display. You, Rob, & rest of the team did a great job as usual."
John Harmsworth, Jersey Farm, St Albans, 2013
Professional displays
"The show was amazing… thank you soooo much!!"
Helen Heaney, Facilities Manager, Otsuka Pharmaceutical Europe Ltd, 2017
"Everyone was in awe of the fireworks on Monday, staff and parents are still talking about them now! Would highly recommend Whizz Bang, fantastic show!"
Julie Adams, Church Lanley School, 2016
"I just wanted to send my many thanks for a fantastic display we had at the Betsey Wynne. Your service and display were second to none."
Jack Ashmore, Betsey Wynne Inn & Restaurant, 2016
"I just wanted to say thank you for the display on Saturday, it was my final surprise for my husband's birthday and it could not have been better! Lots of people commented on how good the display was. I really appreciate the time and effort that you put into your displays and thank you again for such a great display at such a reasonable price."
Hazel Arnold, Surprise Birthday Party, Hitchin Priory, 2016
"Please pass on our thanks to your dad for another amazing display. We have had so many amazing comments. The rain actually stopped for the duration of the display, so our decision at 3pm was the right one!"
Roz Thornton, Managing Director, Star Events (Croxley Business Park), 2015
"My family and I loved the fireworks! My friend who lives on the Byewaters had this to say on WhatsApp: 'The fireworks over your workplace were off the hook, absolutely bloody amazing!'"
Toby Batchelor, Park Contracts Manager, Croxley Business Park, 2015
"Last night's fireworks display was absolutely fantastic, amazing and in fact the best fireworks display I have ever seen! I've had some lovely comments on Twitter, Facebook etc. and I'm sure more are to follow today. Same again next year?"
Sarah Shippey, Park Management Assistant, Croxley Business Park, 2015
"After a successful event for 2014 at Croxley Green, Star Events would like to book Whizz Bang again next year for 5th November 2015."
Kerry, Star Events, 2014
"Some of the best displays seen at our school. Friendly, professional service with a no-obligation site survey prior to the first booking. Punctual and helpful. Cleared away used fireworks from the field ready for the next school day."
St Raphael's, 2011
Self-fire displays
"Last night we had a great fireworks party with fireworks from you guys. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed themselves and every single firework was a wow! The kids had a great time with the sparklers and Snap-Its and then were absolutely bowled over by the fireworks themselves. Even the adults said it was better than the local school's fireworks the night before. So, a big thank you for helping me choose such great fireworks."
Steve Clarke, 2017
"Thank you for a great display content, BEST DISPLAY EVER!"
Chenies & Latimer Cricket Club, 2016
"Dear John & Alison, best display of fireworks you have supplied us ever!! Definitely more bangs for our bucks. Thank you."
Michael Lurie, CLCC Committee, 2015
"I would like to say a big thank you to Whizzz Bang for supplying the fireworks for my display on 7th November. Everyone who came loved the colours and variety of the fireworks! To finish, I had a "Mega Strike" fan cake with two "Star Enforcer" blue peony rockets on the back of it, a great combination to try for your own display!"
Luke Boldison, November 2015
"Chenies & Latimer CC have held a very successful Bonfire Night and Firework Display for many years. A great deal of this success is due to the spectacular display provided by Whizzz Bang. Being a family-run company, you get personal service and TLC, and nothing is too much trouble. CLCC are happy to recommend Whizzz Bang to anyone considering special occasion displays, Guy Fawkes Night spectaculars or just having fun at home in the garden."
CLCC Committee, Chenies & Latimer Cricket Club, 2014
"I have been buying fireworks from Whizzz Bang for at least 15 years for small family celebrations and large firework displays and always get excellent service from your experienced staff. Reliable and well priced, I have no need to go to anyone else!"
Andy Wigston
"I find them extremely helpful. They will arrange out-of-hours times to meet me to discuss, and will advise on a display sequence so as to get the best out of what I have purchased."
Malc C
"Fantastic, friendly and helpful service. Brilliant firework displays. Competitive pricing."
Sharon V
"I just wanted to say thank you for helping me select some great fireworks for our New Year's Eve party. The single ignition we had was amazing and really helped celebrate the new year in style. Many thanks."
Kieran Ingram
"With just one match, Whizzz Bang will stop your heart! They are an excellent and friendly business that provides professional standards to all of their clients. They can supply the best firework displays I know of for a very reasonable price. Pound for pound they outstrip the New Year celebrations in Sydney. They offer exceptional value for money, their attention to detail is second to none, and you can always rely on them to ensure every event is absolutely safe and cleared up afterwards. If you want to set your heart aflutter, call on Whizzz Bang to give you a thrill."
Trevor C