Retailers and landowners back ban the BBQ campaign

Retailers and landowners back ban the BBQ campaign

Disposable BBQs and fires are now banned across vast swathes of the open countryside across Dorset and the New Forest.

The campaign started in May 2020 when Brockenhurst business Streets Ironmongers pulled disposable BBQs from sale and Brockenhurst Business Association urged other retailers in the village to join them. Over 50 retailers supported the campaign across the National Park.

Since then, the New Forest National Park Authority has called on other retailers across the Forest to remove them from sale and gained support from national retailers including Waitrose, Marks and Spencer, Tesco and Sainsburys. Sadly, many stores such as Morrisons, Lidl and Aldi are still stocking them with front of store displays. This year Dorset Council and Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council have also put in measures to control the use of disposable BBQs and have been asking local retailers to withdraw them from sale.

Last year Forest organisations including the National Park Authority, Forestry England, Hampshire County Council, New Forest District Council and the National Trust worked tirelessly with the emergency services to educate the public about the dangers of disposable barbecues and fires, and to protect the Forest and coast. Forestry England and National Trust have banned BBQs and fires on their land, and this how now been extended to Hampshire County Council’s Lepe Country Park and Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust land.

More than half the National Park is internationally protected because of its rare wildlife, the woods and lowland heathland are of global environmental importance for wildlife and their peaty soils store carbon help reduce climate change. Wildfires at this time of year would cause immense damage to the ground and will release carbon from the habitats as well as damage the fauna and flora. With the weather warming up and visitors increasing, it’s vitally important that everyone plays their part to help protect the Forest’s landscapes and reduce the risk of wildfires.

Steve Avery, Executive Director of Strategy and Planning at New Forest National Park Authority said: ‘We still need your help to make the whole of the National Park BBQ-free. Please ask your local store to stop selling disposable BBQs and to display a campaign poster available to download online.’

Retailers can be added to the list of those supporting the campaign by emailing communications@newforestnpa.gov.uk.

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

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.