Greggs, a popular bakery chain, has taken precautionary measures by shutting down 11 of its stores due to safety concerns arising from the intense heat. The decision to close these stores, equipped with large ovens, was made with the well-being of both staff and customers in mind.
One employee from a London branch mentioned that due to the extreme heat and lack of proper air conditioning, they were temporarily relocated to other stores after their own store was closed. The affected stores include locations in Aldridge, Wolverhampton, Luton, Gosport, Trowbridge, Barnet, Marlborough, Wantage, Dudley, Northampton, and Leicester Square in London.
In response to the scorching temperatures, over 1,000 schools across Britain have been closed for safety reasons. Additionally, transportation services have been disrupted, with railways being affected by the soaring heat. The RAC reported a significant increase in breakdown callouts for vehicles on Tuesday.
The Met Office has extended a rare red warning for extreme heat to cover the south coast of England, including cities like Brighton, Portsmouth, and Southampton, for Wednesday and Thursday. Furthermore, an amber warning for heat has been issued for Friday in eastern and central England, indicating that the hot weather is expected to persist.
With the heatwave ongoing, there are growing calls from Liberal Democrat MPs for the Government to open air-conditioned public facilities as “cool hubs” to assist vulnerable individuals. They suggest that places like gyms, leisure centers, and libraries could provide respite for those most susceptible to the extreme heat.
As the weather situation continues to evolve, the Met Office has indicated the possibility of issuing further updates and warnings as needed. The focus remains on ensuring the safety and well-being of the public during this period of extreme weather conditions.
