A Nailsworth butcher says the Government’s emergency ban on disposable barbecues has made little difference to his business – as customers continue to embrace one of the biggest barbecue summers he can remember.
The Government introduced an immediate ban on the supply of disposable barbecues amid soaring temperatures, drought conditions and a growing number of devastating wildfires across England and Wales.
Retailers have been told not to make disposable barbecues available in shops or online, with the Government warning that their use poses a significant risk to the public and environment during the current extreme conditions.
But Paul Dowdeswell, of Country Quality Meat, says the restrictions have had little impact on his customers, who are continuing to buy fresh meat for barbecues.
“As with all our meat, I’m passionate about our barbecue selection,” he said.
“It’s all sustainably sourced and we try to provide as much gluten-free as we can, while keeping the traditional flavour and making it as mouth-watering as possible, but using global tastes.
“I’m going to sound like Uncle Albert now, but when I first started in this trade there was very little trade in the summer because we just didn’t barbecue.
“Now I work part-time and I come in and see our barbecue selection and it is like a work of art – so eye-catching and mouth-watering.
“We are having one of the best barbecue summers ever. I think the nice air-conditioned shop has also helped.”
The emergency restrictions come as firefighters across the country deal with an exceptionally high wildfire risk, with authorities warning that disposable barbecues can remain extremely hot for hours after they appear to have been extinguished.
The butcher says that while the ban has not affected his business, he understands why the Government has taken action.
“Andy Burnham may have thought it was a good idea to ban the disposable barbecue, but it hasn’t made any difference to us,” he said.
“However, the disposable barbecue is more like a picnic idea, so I understand the logic.
“Especially as I have a good friend whose son is a firefighter in Stourbridge.”
With customers increasingly looking beyond traditional burgers and sausages, the butcher says barbecue buying has changed dramatically since he entered the trade, with premium cuts, marinades and international flavours now commonplace.
And despite the Government’s emergency intervention, the message from the shop is clear: the barbecue is still very much on – just not necessarily with a disposable grill.
