From 1 January, 2025, gas-powered patio heaters became illegal in Barcelona. The Spanish city has been gradually phasing out the heaters since 2018 after increasing calls from conservation groups, which claim that using gas heaters during the winter months emits the same amount of CO2 as a car being driven around the globe three times.

Until 30 April, electric heaters with a capacity no greater than 150W/m2 will still be permitted in Barcelona, but after that point a blanket ban will be in place.

A similar move to remove patio heaters began in Madid around a year ago, but a local court blocked the ban, ruling that there was no proof the heaters contributed to global warming. Scheduled to come into force in Madrid on 1 January, 2024, the heater ban was eventually scrapped following opposition from local businesses who said they would suffer due to the loss of custom, and the loss of usable space.

In Madrid alone there are thought to be 3,000 terraces with gas heaters.

However, Spain is not the only European nation looking to enforce this ban. France banned the use of gas patio heaters since 31 March, 2022, with a few key exceptions. For example, the ban does not apply to bars, cafes and restaurants where the terraces are covered and closed on the sides, meaning that heaters may still be used in private courtyards. Heaters are also still permitted inside closed tents, marquees, and in waiting areas for public transport such as in rail stations or airports.

With more and more cities introducing a ban on outdoor gas heaters, we could see a shift in outdoor hospitality across the global hospitality sector...

Patio heaters have become an useful resource for bars, hotels and restaurants across the UK, particularly since the introduction of the smoking ban which consigned smokers to outdoor areas.

Dining and drinking establishments fear a loss of footfall, and establishments may be pressured to make up for lost wintertime revenue during the summer months. Trade organisation UKHospitality says that outdoor spaces are key in helping businesses to keep their heads above water.

Kate Nicholls, CEO of UKHospitality comments:

“Hospitality businesses in the UK have invested heavily in their outdoor spaces over recent years, particularly following the trading restrictions put upon the industry during the pandemic.”

“These investments have been made so that businesses can make the most of their outdoor spaces all-year-round, with outdoor heaters helping to ensure guests are protected from the elements and, in turn, giving businesses maximum space and opportunity to trade and drive revenue.

“Over the past few years, we have seen the UK Government incentivise the use of outdoor space and we would like to see that continue. This is particularly relevant in light of ongoing cost pressures, where businesses will be looking to maximise their revenue-driving potential, with outdoor spaces being a big part of that.”

If a gas heater ban is rolled out more globally it could result in an end to the winter "pop-up", as well as possibly permanently altering Europe’s ‘café culture’ of enjoying a coffee, beer or glass of wine on a terrace - where part of the fun is sitting outside, feeling cosy and snug despite the crisp air.

Winter time in the UK is when patio heaters really come into their own, however, on the flip side, heating the outdoors may well become a luxury that the leisure and hospitality industry can no longer afford - both figuratively in terms of contributing to a warming planet, and literally, as soaring energy bills deliver continual challenges to operators and their businesses.