Outdoor Cooking trial in Burgess Park
Following extensive conversations with residents and other local groups, we're installing a new, trial electricity-powered outdoor cooking facility in Burgess Park this summer.
Construction is due to begin on 10 June, weather permitting, and if there are no unforeseen circumstances. The trial is expected to start this summer.
The cooking area will contain three electric hotplates and four picnic benches. It will be located on the corner of Wells Way and Albany Road, near the play area and Chumleigh Gardens’ almshouses.
This is a trial, and the future of outdoor cooking in Burgess Park depends on its success. A report will be produced when the trial period ends, which is expected to be in the autumn.
Public engagement
We're working with the We Walworth Working Group, which comprises residents, people who work in local organisations, and local and central government. Together, a vision for outdoor cooking in Burgess Park has been developed.
Six Neighbourhood Welcome events have been held since June 2022.
We talked to over 700 people from all over the neighbourhood, and we want to talk to as many people as possible.
The Working Group presented their findings at the Faraday Ward Forum meeting on 13 December 2022.
Next steps
We'll update this page to explain the next steps once the trial is complete and the report has been produced.
Email leisureprojects@southwark.gov.uk to join the mailing list, and keep updated about what happens next.
History of barbequing in Burgess Park
The Burgess Park barbeque area was hugely popular and a great success, but not without problems.
While some loved the barbecues, they caused several issues for the park and local people. As a council, we need to listen and respond to the concerns of the community and our partners.
It closed in March 2020 because of fire risk, poor air quality and COVID-19 restrictions. As a result of public engagement, it has now been removed.
Benefits of the previous barbeque area
The barbeque area was a great facility for local people, many of whom do not have private gardens. It was one of the few official public barbeque areas in London that offered the following benefits:
- access to outdoor cooking for local families
- social gatherings for families and small groups
- encouraging many different communities to visit the park
- offering an opportunity for different neighbourhoods and communities to come together and enjoy food
- offering an opportunity for communities to celebrate their culture through food
Problems with the previous barbeque area
When the barbecue area was open for use, there were also some challenges:
- hot, temporary barbeques were placed into bins which caused fires
- dry summers increase the risk of fire and we were asked to close the barbeque area by the Fire Brigade many times; the Fire Brigade has told us they support a full ban on charcoal barbecuing in public parks
- smoke from the barbeque area created harmful emissions; we need to improve the air quality in Southwark to protect children, people who have trouble with their breathing and everyone else
- the barbeque area attracted unlicensed events and illegal activity
- the large amount of litter was unmanageable, and made the park look messy
- litter from the barbeque area used to blow into the lake and was difficult to remove and bad for wildlife
- nearby residents have complained about antisocial behaviour connected to the barbeque area
The future of barbequing in Burgess Park
If you’d like to keep updated about plans for the barbeque area, email leisureprojects@southwark.gov.uk.
Page last updated: 06 June 2024
