BBQ's and the law

[DAVEM]

We are a self-managed allotment association and we usually enjoy a variety of social functions . We want to have a BBQ this summer but we are not sure of the law relating to this kind of activity. Any ideas?

[Novice Gardener]

Will you be charging for the bbq, or will it be a "private" affair. As far as I know, as long as its classed as a private party, then you shouldn't fall foul of any laws, unless your guests decide to strip naked and dance up and down the nearest high street If you are going to be charging for the food, then you will need to contact your local council. At the very least, they'll expect the person cooking to have a basic health & hygiene cert (not sure if thats what its called now)

[Two_Sheds]

apparently, it is a bylaw offence to have an open fire in a park or green space (at least in Clapham).
That's all I could find on Google.
We have a summer BBQ at our sites, as do many others. If it's a private party, you're sensible and don't invite the general public, I can't see a problem. There's some safety advice here:Cheshire Fire & Rescue Service : Public Safety : Barbecue Safety

[Nicos]

We aren't allowed to have bonfires on our lottie during the summer months as it's a peat based soil.
The lower levels of soil have been smouldering in the past due to lack of care with fire. Took weeks for it to finally go out.......

Now that's not something which would jump to mind as a reason to be careful with open fires is it?????

[HeyWayne]

Our plot had a barbecue last year - although I couldn't go, and I'm not sure if it's a regular thing, anyway I'm pretty sure they don't charge and it's a kind of bring something along type affair.

I do know that within our tennancy agreement we're not allowed to have fires before a certain time of day on certain days during the summer months. I forget the exact details, but I've only lit my incinerator twice since having it at that was only when I saw that our allotment chief dude had his lit.

[Pootle]

Contact your council's licensing dept for full info, but if you sell alcohol you'll need a Temporary Event Notice. They cost approx £30 around here and you'll need to prove that its a limited event (ie: only invited guests - you could sell tickets) to the police, they'll be concerned about p****d people wandering the streets causing a disturbance.

Other than that its just food hygiene - don't let people handling money handle food.

[NOG]

Check you Public Liability insurance.