The Co-op has removed instant BBQs from sale in 130 stores near national parks across the UK.
The convenience-retailer announced that instant BBQs will no longer be made available in stores within a one-mile radius of a national park in a bid to help stop the spread of wildfires caused by mishandled disposal of BBQ sets.
The move has been made to support the decision of some landowners, who have decided to ban BBQs on their properties.
“Whilst the majority of consumers use, extinguish, and dispose of instant BBQs safely, and we continue to sell many of them from our stores across the UK, we respect those local decisions to protect the parkland have to be made,” Co-op buying director Adele Balmforth said.
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“Where we have stores in, and within a one-mile radius, of a national park we have removed instant BBQs from sale to help protect the landscape of the communities in which we serve.”
The Co-op has also launched a campaign with the support of the National Fire Chiefs Council and the Greater Manchester fire service called ‘Put Me Out’, to spread awareness of BBQ safety during the summer.
The campaign features messaging on the BBQs sold by Co-Op informing consumers to use water to extinguish the fires and dispose of them safely, as well as to not use them in enclosed spaces or unauthorised outdoor areas that have a public space protection order against them.
“We support Co-op’s move – adding clear warnings along with simple messaging on how to dispose of these barbecues is an effective way to prevent fires,” National fire chiefs council lead for wildfires Paul Hedley added
“Most people manage to enjoy instant barbecues with no issues but the worrying upward trend in wildfires cause by these devices, cannot be ignored and action has to be taken.”
The BBQ sale restrictions will be enforced from June 15.
