New Forest retailers come out in force to back ban on BBQs

New Forest retailers come out in force to back ban on BBQs

Two weeks, three villages,18 stores BBQ-free

After just two weeks,18 stores have already shown support for a BBQ-free New Forest by withdrawing disposable BBQs from sale.

It means that the three main New Forest villages of Ashurst, Lyndhurst and Brockenhurst are all now disposable BBQ-free.

Retailers large and small across the Forest and beyond are backing the ban and are also alerting people to the dangers of BBQs with posters and point-of-sale messaging.

The #BBQFreeNewForest campaign, supported by Forestry England and Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service, launched earlier this month following the large number of disposable BBQs being used while the New Forest is at extreme risk of fire. Multiple fires have had to be put out in recent weeks, and numerous areas of scorched earth have been left across the protected habitats when a fire warning is still in place.

New Forest National Park Authority Chairman Oliver Crosthwaite-Eyre said: ‘Thanks to support from garages and shops the villages of Ashurst, Lyndhurst and Brockenhurst are all now disposable BBQ-free.

‘Our woods and lowland heathland are of global environmental importance for wildlife and their peaty soils store carbon and help reduce climate change. Wildfires at this time of year would cause immense damage to the ground and the rare flora and fauna. We must protect them from unintentional fires caused by carelessness.

‘While we have had some rain, the area remains on a fire alert and with the warm weather set to return, the New Forest will be at an even greater risk of fire. This is why we need your help.’

Nicky Watson, Company Secretary for Castles Home Hardware in Christchurch said they were ‘delighted to support anything that can help stop these awful fires and devastation on the Forest, heathland or coast’.

The campaign has received widespread media coverage and reached nearly 300,000 people on social media with over 40,000 supporting it with likes, comments and shares.

Everyone can help protect the precious habitats of the New Forest by contacting their local retailer and asking them to remove disposable BBQs from sale. Retailers can then display the poster (see link below) and contact the New Forest National Park Authority either via email communications@newforestnpa.gov.uk or on social @Newforestnpa. A list of participating retailers is featured on our website.

If you’re a local retailer and will be backing the ban, please show support on social media by tagging #BBQFreeNewForest and display a poster available to download here: https://bit.ly/2XOyLxz

For full information and a list of all stores supporting our campaign visit www.newforestnpa.gov.uk/BBQFreeNewForest

Notes to editors:

The list of stores already supporting the ban: (Note – Hockeys Farm Shop, Fordingbridge, and Crystals hardware store, Lymington have now been added, taking the total to 20)

Ashurst

Welcome store

Bashley

Bashley Village Stores

Brockenhurst

Gates of Brockenhurst

Premier store

Streets Ironmongers

Tesco

Welcome store

Burley

Shappen Stores

Cadnam

Courtesy filling station / Budgens

Christchurch

Castles of Christchurch Ltd

Fordingbridge

Hockey’s Farm Shop

Hordle

Hordle Garage / Budgens

Lymington

Crystals Hardware store

Lyndhurst

Co-op

Marchwood

Welcome store

Milford-on-Sea

Co-op

New Milton

Nisa Local

Romsey

Lockerley Green stores

Sway

Budgens

West Wellow

Nisa Local

About the New Forest National Park Authority

Protect – Enjoy – Prosper

The New Forest National Park Authority’s statutory purposes are to:
-Conserve and enhance the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage of the Park – Protect.
-Promote opportunities for understanding and enjoyment of its special qualities – Enjoy.

We also have a duty to:
Seek to foster the social and economic well-being of local communities within the Park – Prosper.

The New Forest National Park was designated in March 2005. Its unique landscape has been shaped over the centuries by grazing ponies, cattle and pigs which roam free. Majestic woodlands, rare heathland and a spectacular coastline provide fabulous opportunities for quiet recreation, enjoyment and discovery.

Visit www.newforestnpa.gov.uk to find out more.

Media contact:

Maria Court, Communications Officer
New Forest National Park Authority
Tel: 01590 646650
Email: maria.court@newforestnpa.gov.uk