Renewable Energy - DIY chains withdraw gas guzzling patio heaters

25/01/2008

Three of the UK's leading retailers of DIY products is to stop selling outdoor patio heaters, it has been confirmed.

B&Q confirmed they will no longer be offering the notoriously gas-guzzling heaters once its current stockholding is sold out.

Meanwhile, Notcutts and Wyevale have said they will stop stocking the heaters and will replace them on their shelves with chimneas and fire pits, both of which offer comparable heating but with a significantly reduced environmental impact.

News of the products' withdrawal has been greeted enthusiastically by environmentalists but has been given a cooler reception from the pub trade, which perceives that the heaters are essential to retain customers forced outdoors by the smoking ban.

Paul Waterson, from the Scottish Licensed Trading Association, told the Scotsman: "It would certainly cause a lot of problems for pubs.

"It all stems from the smoking ban, which we absolutely opposed in the first place.

"Because of this we now have the patio heaters issue, which looks like it will lead to further pub closures and job losses."