Wyevale bans patio heaters

One of the UK's largest gardening stores has made the decision to not sell patio heaters after reports declared them as environmentally damaging due to their energy-wasting capabilities.

Wyevale will continue to sell its current stock of gas powered patio heaters but has said it will not be ordering any more. Instead, it plans to sell energy-saving alternatives, including wood-burning stoves and chimineas.

The turn-around may well also have been prompted by former Liberal Democrat environment spokesman Norman Baker's comments, since he recently referred to patio heaters as "an absurd invention".

Speaking to Garden News, chairman Jim Hodkinson said that stopping the selling of gas-powered patio heaters was not only the right thing to do, but it also demonstrated Wyevale's commitment to a green agenda.

"We want to show a lead to the garden centre industry as a whole," he added.

Currently it is thought that there are around 3,000-2,500 patio heaters at pubs and restaurants and 630,000 in residential gardens in Britain.

© Adfero Ltd

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