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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Business
Evie Townend

M&S announces nationwide ban of disposable BBQs affecting all its UK stores

Marks and Spencer has announced a ban of disposable barbecues across all its stores across the UK.

The posh supermarket has pulled the product in a bid to reduce the risk of fires.

It comes as record-breaking temperatures have been recorded this summer.

The high-street giant said they wanted "to help protect open spaces and reduce the risk of fires".

The move came into effect earlier this week.

A spokesperson for M&S said: "We'd already stopped selling disposable barbecues near national parks and in London.

What do you think of the disposable BBQ ban? Let us know: mirror.money.saving@mirror.co.uk

"But given the unusually hot and dry conditions, we've taken the precautionary step of removing them from sale across the UK."

The decision comes after there has been an increase in blazes across the country.

A record heatwave swept across the country, with certain parts of Scotland reaching all-time highs of 38C, leaving areas particularly dry and vulnerable to fires.

According to the Home Office, disposable barbecues are said to be responsible for around 4% of serious fires which are started accidentally.

The Home Office reports that disposable barbecues are responsible for 4% of serious fires started accidently (Getty Images)

M&S' decision has been welcomed by fire chief's across the UK after they have experienced a surge in phone calls and fire incidents.

The London Fire Brigade (LFB) experienced their busiest day ever since World War Two.

Commissioner Andy Roe took to Twitter to urge major supermarkets to completely remove disposable BBQs in a bid to reduce the risk of wildfires.

Speaking of M&S' move, the LFB said: "We want to work with retailers to stop the sale of disposable barbecues and reduce the risk of dangerous grass fires."

M&S is not alone in making this decision.

Last year, the Co-op stopped selling disposable barbecues that were situated within one mile of national parks.

In March, budget supermarket Aldi also announced they were banning the product in a bid to protect habitats and wildlife.

The news comes after M&S came under fire over its use of packaging in online orders.

Shoppers have complained about the amount of plastic packaging that comes with online orders of pants, bras and pyjamas - including a hanger for each item.

One user said: “Dr T just got some M&S underwear delivered.

“We were both appalled at the amount of unnecessary packaging - including these hangers? Who hangs up underwear?

“C'mon ⁦@marksandspencer⁩ you can do better than this?”

Another wrote: “Hey M&S, I just ordered some cotton camisoles from you online and got a load of little plastic hangers I don’t need.

“Can we rethink this packaging? They’re definitely not needed for online orders and it’s A LOT of plastic.”

What do you think of the disposable BBQ ban? Let us know: mirror.money.saving@mirror.co.uk

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