A Keswick supermarket has agreed to stop stocking and selling disposable barbecues.
It follows a letter being sent to the directors of Scotmid Co-op, which runs the Lakes and Dales Co-op store, from Cllr Sally Lansbury, a member, of Keswick Town Council’s environmental impacts group, requesting that it ceases the sale of disposable barbecues as wildfire risks soar because of climate change.
The company has also agreed to stop selling disposable barbecues in other stores it has in Cairngorms, Loch Lomond and Trossachs national parks and the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
“We are delighted that the directors of Lakes and Dales and Scotmid Co-op have ceased the sale of disposable barbecues,” said Cllr Lansbury.
“These are a significant fire risk, are a danger to wildlife and children and are big nasties when it comes to greenhouse gas emissions in their manufacture, transportation and use.
“There are other ways to enjoy the great outdoors. We do recognise that removing barbecues from sale, comes with a cost to retailers, so it is really significant and positive to see that these businesses and most of the smaller retailers in Keswick have recognised that there is a balance to be struck between certain profitable items and looking after our environment.
“We would also like to reinforce that the use of disposable barbecues is prohibited in Keswick parks and on all land within the Lake District National Park.”
In reply to Cllr Lansbury, Ian Lovie, licensing and compliance manager with Scotmid Co-op, said the decision was made following a meeting with senior management. He added that as a responsible retailer that cares about the communities it serves, the company felt it was the correct thing to do.
Meanwhile, the Country Land and Business Association (CLA) is campaigning for an immediate ban on the sale of disposable barbecues in an effort to prevent more wildfires damaging the countryside and threatening rural communities.
CLA president Mark Tufnell said: “The CLA is demanding that retailers immediately ban the sale of disposable barbecues across the UK this summer in a move to curb fires spreading in the countryside which cause great damage to rural communities, businesses and jeopardise the safety of all those in the surrounding areas.
“It is encouraging to see that Marks & Spencer has taken this decision, however it is now time for other major retailers to follow suit as soon as possible.
“During this period of prolonged lack of rainfall, record temperatures during heatwaves and wildfires damaging the countryside, policies such as this which can mitigate potential further fire damage are sensible and necessary.”
“We warmly welcome people to the countryside as they seek to enjoy the glorious weather. But we ask them to help us protect farmland and natural habitats by not lighting barbecues, fires and other potentially hazardous materials such as sky lanterns.”
Keswick firefighters recently attended Dodd Wood where a disposable barbecue had caused a small fire which had penetrated deep into the ground.
