City centre set for barbecue ban

People will be banned from lighting fires and using disposable barbecues in parts of a city centre under new measures.

A new Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) is set to be introduced in Chester city centre, as the current one is set to expire.

Some measures in the current PSPO including banning alcohol consumption and urination in public places will be also be included in the new order.

Additionally, the PSPO will include a ban on jumping from the Queens Park Suspension Bridge, although this is already covered by a bye-law.

A PSPO has been in force since 2016 but is due to expire in May, and is set to be replaced with a new order which would run until April 2028.

The area has had powers to control jumping from the Queens Park Suspension Bridge into the river or onto a vessel since a bye-law was introduced in 1983.

A report to councillors said that between September 2021 and September 2024 there were eight instances seen on CCTV of people jumping from the bridge.

The report said there was "strong support" for this bye-law to be part of the PSPO during a recent public consultation.

The report also said that Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service had seen an increase in anti-social behaviour linked to lighting fires and using disposable barbecues.

It said the service had attended 11 deliberate fires in the city centre between April 2019 and September 2024.

A measure banning events and activities on streets and paths which "impede the passage of any other person" without a licence or written consent to do so, excluding protests, is also set to be introduced.

The report said there had been six "large scale obstructions" over the last few years and that just over half of those who responded to a consultation supported the measure.

In 2016, the authority had planned to ban rough sleeping in the area through a PSPO but this was scrapped after a backlash.

Breaches of the PSPO can lead to a £100 fixed penalty notice or prosecution with a maximum fine of £1,000.

The plans will be discussed by Cheshire West and Chester's Cabinet on Wednesday.

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