We generally allow barbecues in our parks and open spaces, but we expect you to be sensible with them. This includes the following advice:
- Please don't light a barbecue in a dry spell to prevent fire risk - if the grass is turning yellow and is not green you must not use a barbecue in a park.
- When using a barbecue do not place them directly on the grass, ground or picnic tables - as they will cause damage. They must be elevated from the floor with a suitable stand or placed on at least a single row of bricks to raise them up. You can hire barbecue stands from the Ranger's Station in Beacon Park (next to the cafe) for £1 with a fully refundable £6 deposit (£7 in total).
- Do not use any accelerants (petrol, methylated spirits etc) to light a barbecue. Block type firelighters are acceptable but only use the minimal amount to start the barbecue.
- Do not place your barbecue close to play areas, pitches or roads. Smoke can affect people with breathing difficulties and also cause a distraction to drivers.
- Do not leave barbecues unattended.
- Do not put the tin tray in the bin when it is still hot - make sure your barbecue is cold when you dispose of it by dowsing it in water. Please bring a large bottle of water with you to help with this - a small disposable barbecue will require at least 6 litres of water to put it out fully.
- Dispose of the ash discreetly – we do not want to see it. After soaking it with water and allowing it to go cold drain the water away and place the sludge / ash in a plastic bag and dispose of it in the bin.
- Do not litter, including the tin tray.
- We do not allow barbecues at some of our large events, such as Lichfield Proms in Beacon Park. Please check with event organisers beforehand.
- If the police, fire service or council officers request that you put out your barbecue, please follow their instruction.