Wildfire risk puts Staffordshire barbecue sales on hold

demoduck.co.uk editorial team 2026-08-18 18:47 2 min read

Close up of bright orange flames rising from a metal barbecue grill.

By the demoduck.co.uk editorial team | 18 August 2026

Disposable barbecues must be removed from sale across Staffordshire while a temporary restriction remains in force. Staffordshire Trading Standards has told retailers to stop supplying them both in shops and online, following government guidance prompted by exceptionally hot and dry weather.

No date has been given for lifting the restriction. Businesses should not return the products to sale until updated government guidance confirms that they may do so.

The restriction covers shops and online sales

The instruction applies to every disposable barbecue offered by affected Staffordshire retailers, regardless of whether it is sold from a physical shop or through an online channel. Traders have been asked to remove existing stock from sale and refrain from supplying it for the duration of the measure.

Wildfire risk puts Staffordshire barbecue sales on hold

The council notice concerns the sale and supply of disposable barbecues. It does not describe a separate restriction on products already owned by residents, nor does it specify penalties or enforcement dates beyond the immediate request to withdraw them.

Hot, dry conditions have increased the fire risk

Government guidance currently says disposable barbecues cannot be considered safe products because prolonged dry weather has increased the danger of wildfires and environmental damage.

Staffordshire County Council said disposable barbecues had been linked to several wildfires, including a fire at Cannock Chase earlier in August. Anthony Screen, the council’s Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Resilience, said the summer’s sustained heat and dry conditions had created a significant risk across countryside, parks and other open spaces.

The temporary restriction is intended to reduce potential ignition sources while vegetation and ground conditions remain unusually dry. It also aims to protect communities and local environments until the assessed risk falls.

Retailers must keep stock off sale

Retail businesses should remove disposable barbecues from shelves, online listings and other sales channels. They should not supply remaining stock while the restriction is active, even if those products were obtained before the notice was issued.

For residents, the immediate effect is that disposable barbecues should not be available to buy from Staffordshire retailers. The supplied guidance does not set out additional instructions for consumers, so residents should follow official updates rather than assume that availability has resumed.

Sales can resume only after further guidance

The end of the restriction depends on changing weather and wildfire conditions rather than a published expiry date. Retailers have been told to monitor the government’s business regulation guidance and wait for a further update before making disposable barbecues available again. Staffordshire businesses seeking clarification can contact Staffordshire Trading Standards for advice.

Source: Staffordshire County Council Newsroom

Context & actions About this article

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The restriction, affected sales channels and wildfire context were checked against Staffordshire County Council’s notice dated 18 August 2026.

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