Amid the intense heat, bakery chain Greggs has taken the precautionary measure of closing 11 of its stores on Wednesday and Thursday due to safety concerns.
The decision to close the stores was primarily motivated by ensuring the safety of both staff and customers, particularly as these stores operate large ovens.
At a Greggs shop in London, employees mentioned being relocated to other branches after their store was shut down. A worker highlighted the challenging working conditions, stating the lack of adequate air conditioning in stores despite the presence of industrial ovens.
The affected stores include Aldridge, Wolverhampton, Luton, Gosport, Trowbridge, Barnet, Marlborough, Wantage, Dudley, Northampton, and Leicester Square in London.
In response to the extreme heatwave, more than 1,000 schools have been closed across Britain due to safety concerns, creating widespread disruption. Additionally, the soaring temperatures have led to transportation issues, with railways experiencing shutdowns and travel warnings issued by operators.
The Met Office has extended the red warning for extreme heat to cover the south coast of England, including Brighton, Bognor Regis, Portsmouth, Southampton, Bournemouth, and Dorchester. An amber warning has also been issued for Friday, encompassing eastern and central England, as the prolonged hot weather continues.
With the evolving forecast, further updates on the extreme weather may be necessary as conditions develop. The Met Office spokesperson emphasized the possibility of issuing additional warnings pending more detailed information.
Liberal Democrat MPs have urged the Government to open air-conditioned public buildings as “cool hubs” to provide relief for vulnerable individuals during the heatwave. They suggested facilities like gyms, leisure centers, and libraries could serve as cooling centers for those at higher risk due to the extreme temperatures.