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Benches damaged by barbecues
Visitors to North Ayrshire are being encouraged to use designated barbecue and picnic areas while enjoying the sights and scenery across the area.
The Council’s Streetscene team has recently received reports from concerned residents about people using plastic and wooden benches to rest disposable BBQs on.
The heat from the BBQs can cause damage, resulting in costly repairs and meaning other people cannot use the benches, as well as increasing the risk of wildfires.
In some cases, metal commemorative benches – with memorial plaques - that have been installed in memory of a family’s loved one have been used for barbecuing.
Quote: North Ayrshire has many attractions, beaches, walks and visitor centres that attract visitors, particularly in summer. We offer warm welcome to all visitors, but would ask people to be respectful and use proper facilities for having a picnic or BBQ. Please, also remember it is your responsibility to ensure that disposable barbeques are fully extinguished before being placed inside of a bin – they should not be left lying at the roadside or near a bin to cool before leaving the area. Dropping litter, throwing litter from your car or using benches as BBQ areas leads to unnecessary clean-up work for the Council’s Streetscene team as well as additional expense. Environmental Enforcement Officers patrol these locations throughout North Ayrshire on a regular basis and will engage with any persons acting irresponsibly. Littering simply isn’t acceptable. There are many well-placed street bins in our communities, and we will not be complacent when it comes to keeping North Ayrshire tidy.
Quote from: Councillor Eleanor Collier, Cabinet Member for Green Environment and Economy
The costs for repairing and replacing damaged benches ranges from £150 to £1,500.
Published: 28 May 2026