Fordingbridge Town Council has written to shops in the town asking them to consider temporarily withdrawing disposable barbecues from sale following a series of incidents that have left grass scorched and raised concerns about potential larger fires on public open spaces.
Council acts after repeated damage
Paul Goddard, the town clerk, told residents the council is responsible for a number of open spaces, including the recreation ground, where a no-barbecue policy is already in force and is supported by signage. Despite that policy, councillors have recorded instances of disposable BBQs being used on the recreation ground "almost daily", with damage to picnic benches and scorched turf becoming a frequent occurrence.
"The weather's been exceptionally dry recently and we have found that people are continuing to have barbecues at the recreation ground, so this is something that we've done to try and mitigate that."
The letter from the council asks retailers either to stop selling single-use barbecues for the time being or, where they continue to sell them, to display clear notices advising customers not to use portable barbecues in parks and other open areas.
Practical measures for businesses and residents
The council's request is voluntary rather than regulatory, relying on local businesses to cooperate in reducing the risk. It also reflects wider concerns in the region about the heightened risk of fire during prolonged dry spells.
- What businesses are asked to do: temporarily remove disposable BBQs from sale or display clear warnings at point of purchase.
- What the council will continue to do: enforce the existing no-barbecue policy on council-managed open spaces and record incidents.
- Advice for residents: avoid using portable barbecues on the recreation ground and other open spaces, and follow signage.
Local impact and context
While the council did not announce any immediate fines or bans on the sale of these products, the appeal underlines the strain placed on small town services during extreme weather conditions. Damage to park furniture and grass not only affects amenity value for the community but entails repair costs and staff time for the town council.
| Issue | Council response |
|---|---|
| Scorched grass and damaged benches | Recording incidents; public appeal to businesses |
| Risk of larger fires | Request to pause sales; signage reminder to customers |
Residents who see barbecues being used on council land are advised to refer to posted rules and to contact the town council if they witness repeated or dangerous behaviour. The council's appeal asks for a short-term change in retail practice to protect shared spaces while dry weather persists.
As with similar measures elsewhere, the effectiveness of the request will depend on local businesses' cooperation and public adherence to the no-barbecue rules on council-managed areas.
