Keswick is leading the charge to ban disposable barbecues in the Lakes, but the heat is still on for campaigners as wildfire risks soar in the hot weather.
Town and district councillor, Sally Lansbury, has been working closely with local businesses and government to stop the single-use product from being sold within Keswick and beyond.
She pointed to their carbon-heavy production methods, importation from across the globe, and the safety risks associated with them as reasons behind the campaign.
Booths is the latest supermarket chain to announce that it will no longer stock the environmentally damaging single-use products after a letter circulated from Keswick Town Council helped change local store policy.
Since banning instant barbecues in its Keswick store, Booths has now banned the products from all of its Lake District outlets.
This follows on from Co-op which had done the same earlier this year.
The project was led by Keswick store manager, Matt Welsh, who has employed a number of grassroots eco-initiatives in the outlet such as installing a recycling point for toothpaste and toothbrush packaging, having cardboard boxes available to transport groceries and removing plastic bags from display.
“As a retailer in the Lake District we’ve got to help people make responsible decisions for themselves and the environment,” said Matt.
“We were approached by Sustainable Keswick about the issue and ran with it. Sometimes it takes other people to point out when you could be doing something better.”
Councillor Lansbury said: “I really commend Booths as they must have sold a lot of these items but they have recognised that sometimes we all need to consider environmental costs over and above profit.”
She is hoping to receive cross-party support for her motion to prohibit the use of disposable barbecues on all recreational land, wildlife sites and licensed festivals on council land at a meeting of Allerdale Borough Council on Wednesday.
Simultaneously, Councillor Tony Lywood took the issue up with the Lake District National Park Authority which no longer permits any barbecues or open fires within its boundary.
This week the Met Office has issued its first ever extreme heat warning sparking wildfire fears.
In April, Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service fought a major grass blaze at Whinlatter that destroyed 5,300 square feet of open scrubland.
Keswick Mayor Alan Dunn said: “I’m very impressed with Booths’ response to this plea from Keswick Town Council. They are taking a very responsible stance and I applaud them for their attitude.
“Let’s hope that we can persuade all those other disposable barbecue sellers in town to take the same responsible approach.
“Sally Lansbury has done a great job here.”
