Commercial use of the UKFR Forum

Important rules for retailers and importers

  • Category: Information
  • Last updated: November 14, 2025

Effective from 2025, I have wound down the “UKFR Sponsor” services which allowed commercial entities to post in my forum in return for a payment. All members will now be on an equal footing and there is no requirement to pay to post. I have also phased out all banner adverts and the Sponsor Map, to further my return to an independent community.

Whilst commercial posting is now allowed for everyone, it’s important to ensure we are not overrun with spammy content. This guide will explain the basic rules and what’s expected from members of the fireworks trade. If you’re wanting to post deals, special offers or other self-promoting content, please ensure you are fully aware of the restrictions explained below.

Table of contents:

Former Sponsor? What happens next?

On expiry of your term, it’s simply a case that the “UKFR Sponsor” tag and link on your account will be removed. No renewals are being offered and no accounts will remain as a Sponsor beyond 2025.

As far as posting goes, it’s business as usual for you; very little changes other than you won’t need to make any further payments. You can still post about your products and services as you did before, subject to not starting self-publicity threads more than once per calendar month, or posting excessively spammy content that bothers other users. 

Posting limits for commercial and self-promoting threads

If you’re wanting to start a thread (a new forum discussion) that serves no purpose other than self-publicity, please do not do this more than once per calendar month. Note: Unused months cannot be rolled over. 

Examples of purely self-promoting content includes:

  • Posting deals or discounts.
  • Posting news about your company.
  • Promoting your website or social media channels.
    .

Please do not excessively “bump” your threads. However organic bumping as other members respond to your thread is acceptable.

Content that is unique or interesting to members is encouraged. Examples include deals which are not posted elsewhere and are exclusive to forum members. Simply reposting public posts from your social media channels is less welcome as most members will have already seen these.

We reserve the right to close or remove threads at any time and without notice if we feel they are:

  • Promoting you excessively to the disadvantage of other retailers.
  • Rubbing other members (including fellow retailers) up the wrong way.
  • Indicative of behaviour that only spams and never takes a constructive part in other discussions.
  • Falling under the “Things not to do or post” rules below.

Things not to do or post

We want this to be a fair and friendly community for all. With that in mind, please don’t do the following:

  • Post content that’s written purely for SEO as this is just such rubbish – and a reminder that we are a private forum which is not even visible to Google (so it’s pointless posting this!).
  • Post affiliate links or links that contain any kind of tracking.
  • Post shortened or “obfuscated” links as these are impossible for a member to preview before clicking and may violate member privacy.
  • Post trade lists or trade prices. This just starts an almighty bunfight in addition to potentially divulging commercially confidential information.
  • Continually “big up” your products or services in a spammy way. It gets tiresome.
  • Hijack other retailers’ publicity threads or take them off topic. Start your own if you have your own news or offers to share.

Commercial content that's NOT subject to restriction

The rules above are mainly geared towards ensuring we are not overrun with low quality and spammy content, especially with regards to newly created threads.

But there are a lot of other things you can post which are not subject to restriction. The main ones are:

  • Answering a question that a member has posted about your business.
  • Having a right to reply to criticism about you, or setting the record straight.
  • Answering a question about a product if you can help and your response is not “spammy”. 
  • Posting video and information about new products if you are an importer (or a retailer of these items), providing this is done to share useful information and not “spammy”. We usually have a “New for [year]” thread which you can do this in.
  • Post about review nights, courses, training or similar.
  • Posting “classified” ads in the For Sale forum, providing it’s a genuine post and conforms to the rules there (note: retailers are NOT allowed to use the classifieds forum to post adverts for their normal retail goods for sale).
  • General chit-chat which is not about your company or products is always welcomed and never subject to restriction!

Moderation and if you break these guidelines

The Forum is moderated and we reserve the right to edit or remove content as we see fit. We also reserve the right to close or restrict accounts. Our decision in these matters is final. 

Making a donation to help towards our running costs

Whilst I no longer offer any kind of commercial service to the fireworks trade, and payment is not required to post commercially, retailers are welcome nonetheless to make a donation. These are one-off payments ranging from £5 to £50 and your account will be marked as “Supports UKFR” for 12 months.

You can donate via the “Account Upgrades” page in your Forum account.

A donation is exactly that – a one-off and non-refundable payment. No service is offered in return. It is not the same as the old “UKFR Sponsor” account upgrade which has been discontinued. No refunds are offered if your account is subject to moderation or restriction.

A final word

I warmly welcome retailers and importers into our community and hope these changes will offer a level playing field for all to enjoy. All I ask is that commercial posting is proportionate, non-spammy and of good quality. Please enjoy the community and make an effort post; it can be very rewarding.