With the weather set to be sunny this weekend and reach over 20 degrees, many of us will be getting our barbecues ready.

However, residents and visitors must be aware of the barbecue rules and restrictions set in place by Brighton and Hove City Council or risk paying a fine.

Single-use and disposable barbecues cannot be used on any part of the beach, promenade or Lawns.

The ban came after a disposable barbecue allegedly caused a major fire at a waste transfer station in Hollingdean in August 2019.

All barbecues are banned until 6pm.

After 6pm reusable barbecues can be used across Brighton and Hove beaches except certain areas. You cannot barbecue between the Palace Pier and the West Pier. Barbecues are also prohibited between Hove Street and Fourth Avenue (this is the area between the end of Hove Lawns and King Alfred Leisure Centre car park). 

This ban includes Hove Lawns and its surrounding areas, such as behind the beach huts. Barbecues are also banned on the promenade and its surrounding walls.

A fine of £100 will be issued if you are caught using a single-use or disposable barbecue, and your barbecue will be extinguished or taken.

If you are caught using a reusable barbecue in a non-designated area, the council states one of their officers will ask you to extinguish the barbecue or move to a designated area.

The council also recommends beachgoers use raised barbecues above the pebbles to prevent the ground from getting hot and burning people who use the beach after you. 

Visitors are encouraged to put cold water on the barbecue once they have finished to extinguish the fire and ensure the coals are cold.

Cold coals should be disposed of in a yellow barbecue bin, and food remains should be wrapped before being put in a bin.

Brighton Council warns people not to put barbecues in litter bins and instead use barbecue bins along the promenade.

The council also states beachgoers should not gather in groups of more than 20 people.

The council banned disposable barbecues in several public areas in August 2022, including the beach, the seafront, and the city’s parks.

A council spokesman previously said: “As the summer season begins, we look forward to welcoming visitors to our world-famous beaches, but would urge them to follow our seafront rules, designed to keep beachgoers safe and happy.”