Temperatures across the UK have been hotting up this week and there’s nothing Brits love more than a BBQ in the back garden during the summertime.
We’ve had the hottest day of the year so far recorded twice this week and it’s truly started to feel like summer.
As we head into July and the further lifting of lockdown restrictions on 4th July edges closer and closer, there’s definitely a smell of barbecues on the horizon and if you’re looking to take your BBQ game up a couple of notches, then we’ve found some must-have tools and equipment pieces on Amazon that are pretty cost-effective and definitely worth getting your hands on.
If you’re going to have a BBQ, you might as well have a bloody good one, right?
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BBQ Stainless Steel Tool Set
Amazon / Fixget
This 20-piece set really is the ultimate all-round BBQ starter kit.
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It comes with all you need to get right into grilling in just one package and is manufactured with premium quality stainless steel to make it a worthwhile purchase that’s long-lasting under the right care instruction. It’s a sturdy and durable set that won’t bend, break or rust and is really easy to clean up after using too.
The set comes with BBQ tongs, a BBQ fork, skewers, grill brushes and more, and is retailing at £20.39 + postage/packaging.
You can get your hands on the Fixget 20Pcs BBQ Tool Sethere.
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BBQ Tools Apron Set
Amazon / NJ
If you’re looking for convenience and you’re also prone to a spillage or two when cooking up a feast, then you really need look no further than this 2-in-1 BBQ Apron / Tools Set.
This set is perfect for all budding outdoor chefs and it comes with a spatula, fork, tongs, cotton glove and salt & pepper shakers, all which sit in their own individual compartments of a heavy-gauge nylon apron. The apron also has adjustable locking fasteners and extra built-in storage pockets too.
It’s retailing at £24.90 + postage/packaging and is also eligible for Amazon Prime delivery perks too for those subscribed to the service.
You can get your hands on the NJ 7Pcs BBQ Grill Apronhere.
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Heat Resistant BBQ Gloves
Amazon / AOMEES
The ideal purchase for the accident prone amongst us – we all know one.
Sitting firmly at #1 on top of Amazon’s Best Seller list, these BBQ gloves are specially designed to not only be resistant to extreme heat, but they’re also resistant to cuts too. They’re non-toxic, anti-slip, flexible and are perfect for all types of outdoor grilling and barbecuing
They’re retailing at £12.49 + postage/packaging and they’re eligible for Amazon Prime delivery perks too for those subscribed to the service.
You can get your hands on the AOMEES BBQ Gloveshere.
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XL Heavy Duty Grill Tongs
Amazon / Mountain Grillers
If you’re pretty serious about upping your BBQ game, these is what you need to be forking out for.
The heavy duty grilling tongs are extra long extra long metal tongs with a non-slip grip. The quality design allows for easy handling at safe distances from the flame and the varying size gives your tong set the versatility that all great grill masters look for in their tools.
You get x2 tongs in this set – a 12″ pair and a 16″ pair.
They’re retailing at £9.69 and they’re eligible for FREE delivery too at the moment, so that’s worth taking advantage of.
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You can get your hands on the Mountain Grillers Heavy Duty Grill Tongshere.
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Beer Bucket / Drinks Cooler
Amazon / Bar Craft
If the temperatures are hotting up, then let’s make sure the drinks are ice cold.
This large acrylic bucket is ideal for chilling bottles of beer, wine, champagne and soft drinks. It has a huge 10 litre capacity, twin handles for easy lifting, and the tub is tough enough to be used for all BBQ’s, parties and get-togethers with confidence.
It’s retailing at £16.96 + postage/packaging, is listed as an Amazon’s Choice product and is eligible for Amazon Prime delivery perks too for those subscribed to the service.
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You can get your hands on the BarCraft Large Drinks Coolerhere.
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Cool Plate
Amazon / Tomorrow’s Kitchen
If you’re going to be spending prolonged periods of time outside whilst you’re barbecuing, which of course you are – it’s summer – then this ‘cool plate’ is perfect for keeping food fresh.
It’s ideal for meat, poultry, fish, cheese, cakes, salad and many other foods that require low temperatures.
It includes a removable cooling element that is stored in the freezer for six hours, before being applied to the stainless steel plate, in order to keep food as fresh as possible and ready to serve whenever.
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It’s retailing at £34.70 + postage/packaging, is listed as an Amazon’s Choice product and is eligible for Amazon Prime delivery perks too for those subscribed to the service.
You can get your hands on the Tomorrow’s Kitchen Cool Platehere.
News
Hawksmoor issues statement after ‘kicking out’ Tommy Robinson from one of its restaurants
Daisy Jackson
Hawksmoor has issued a statement after a viral video captured far-right activist Tommy Robinson being asked to leave one of its restaurants.
In the video, staff at the acclaimed British steak house told Robinson – real name Stephen Yaxley-Lennon – that he would have to go because members of staff feel uncomfortable serving you’.
The supervisor then politely told the party not to worry about the drinks and that they had been paid for, also handing over a business card for Hawksmoor CEO Will Beckett in case they wanted to discuss the matter further.
Robinson was dining in one of the group’s London restaurants with former prominent EDL member Guramit Singh Kalirai who challenged the staff and asked: “Is it because of the colour of my skin?”
The supervisor responded: “No, no, no. We have a duty of care to our members of staff. We like to look after our people, as I’m sure you can understand.”
After the video went viral on X, Hawksmoor went on to share a statement in response, saying that guests and staff ‘felt uncomfortable and complained’.
The statement, signed by CEO Will Beckett, added that the Hawksmoor team has faced ‘a huge amount’ of ‘quite concerning’ fallout from the Tommy Robinson incident.
He added that ‘this was not about politics or beliefs’.
Hawksmoor’s statement reads: “Our focus is always to give the best restaurant experience to the most people possible.
“On Thursday, a public figure was asked to leave one of our restaurants because guests and staff felt uncomfortable and had complained. The party left peacefully and politely on request.
“This was not about politics or beliefs. Hawksmoor is not a political organisation; we’re a group of restaurants. We want to welcome as many people as possible, regardless of background or views, to our teams or as our guests.
“We’re not trying to engage in a public debate. The team has had to deal with a huge amount of fallout from this, some of which is quite concerning. We would like to get back to focussing on looking after those people, and our guests. Thank you to them, and the many of you who have been so supportive.”
Police release footage of missing Manchester man Adeo Alston-Ekpei’s last-known movements
Emily Sergeant
Video footage showing the last-known movements of a Manchester man who’s been missing for three weeks now has been released.
Detectives at Greater Manchester Police (GMP) are continuing to search for Adeo Alston-Ekpei, who has not been seen since Friday 16 May.
The 25-year-old was seen in Fletcher Moss Park in Didsbury at around 3pm, before later being seen walking down Kingsway away from Manchester and close to the River Mersey, at around 5.20pm that same day.
Multiple lines of enquiry being explored by police at present, but anyone who believes they may have seen him from around this time, is asked to get in touch.
Adeo is described as being a mixed-race male, with long curly black hair and a long singular dreadlock, and bleached eyebrows. He has a cupid’s bow piercing and a right eyebrow piercing. He also has an ‘AKA’ tattoo on his right wrist, and a ‘24’ tattoo in the right side of his chest.
He was last seen wearing long blue denim shorts, an undone green short-sleeved button-up shirt, and white Adidas trainers.
Friends have also recently set up a public fundraiser to help with the search for Adeo.
Adeo Alston-Ekpei has been missing for almost three weeks / Credit: GMP
“We are dedicated to finding Adeo and getting much-needed answers for his family,” commented Detective Inspector Kelly, from GMP’s Manchester district, as the footage was released to the public this week.
“I would ask any residents around the Kingsway area, and surrounding housing estates off Kingsway into Gately, and who may have dashcam or CCTV footage from around this time, to please check and get in touch if you have any information.
“Likewise, if anyone believes they have seen Adeo, please get in touch with one of our officers. Any information is appreciated and investigated as we continue our work.”
#MISSING | We are continuing to ask for information relating to missing Adeo, who was last seen on May 16.
We have additionally released CCTV footage showing Adeo’s last known movements on Kingsway, Manchester.
— Greater Manchester Police (@gmpolice) June 5, 2025
A spokesperson for Adeo’s family described the missing man as ‘kind, funny, and intelligent’ with a ‘huge heart’, but they say he ‘wasn’t himself when he disappeared’.
“He may have come across as agitated, lost, or confused,” the spokesperson admitted. “In his last call to his mum, he was in a very vulnerable state.”
Anyone with any information regarding Adeo’s whereabouts is urged to contact South Manchester CID directly on 0161 856 6051 or 0161 856 6063, or you can use the LiveChat function on GMP’s website and quote log number 838 of 18/05/25.
Alternatively, you can report information to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.