Summer outdoor cooking facilities trialled at Burgess Park

A council has launched a summer trial for outdoor cooking facilities in a public park to encourage communities to come together.

Southwark council has installed hotplates, ideal for outdoor grilling, in Burgess Park for free use by residents and visitors.

Councillor Portia Mwangangye, Cabinet Member for Leisure, Parks and Young People, said: “We are thrilled to open a brand new trial outdoor cooking facility, as cooking has been at the heart of many community gatherings over the years.”

The trial, which will last for the rest of summer, comes after the council demolished the borough’s outdoor charcoal BBQs which the local authority said contributed to an increased fire risk and litter. 

Southwark council has banned gas, wood and charcoal BBQs in all parks across the borough in a bid tackling climate change.

The council worked with Walworth and Latin Elephant community groups as well as feedback from more than 700 residents to redesign and relocate the outdoor cooking facilities. 

The new, electricity-powered cooking area was built by Dulwich based builders P D Construction Ltd.

Cllr Mwangangye said: “I want to thank We Walworth and Latin Elephant for their valuable input throughout this process. Their involvement has been crucial in bringing the community along this journey.”

The electric hotplates can be used every day from 10am to 9pm in August and 10am to 8pm in September.

During the trial, community members and council officers will be monitoring the cooking area to determine whether it is successful.

For more information about the trial, please visit www.southwark.gov.uk/outdoorcooking

Pictured top: Residents and community group members with the new hot plates in Burgess Park (Picture: Southwark council)