Greggs, the popular bakery chain, has been forced to close 11 of its stores on Wednesday and Thursday due to safety concerns during the UK's record-breaking heatwave. The decision prioritises the wellbeing of both staff and customers, particularly in stores housing large industrial ovens without adequate air conditioning.
Stores Affected Across England
The closures span multiple locations, including Aldridge, Wolverhampton, Luton, Gosport, Trowbridge, Barnet, Marlborough, Wantage, Dudley, Northampton, and Leicester Square in London. Employees at one London outlet reported being relocated to other branches after their store shut. "It's very hot. We have industrial ovens but no proper air conditioning in stores," one worker told the BBC.
Heatwave Wreaks Havoc Across Britain
The Greggs closures come as the heatwave causes widespread disruption, with over 1,000 schools shutting down due to extreme temperatures. Transport networks have also been severely affected, with railways rendered unusable and operators advising against non-essential travel. The RAC reported a 20% increase in callouts for broken-down vehicles on Tuesday compared to usual.
Met Office Extends Red Warning
On Thursday, the Met Office extended its rare red warning for extreme heat to the south coast, covering Brighton, Bognor Regis, Portsmouth, Southampton, Bournemouth, and Dorchester. An amber warning for Friday has also been issued for eastern and central England, as the exceptionally hot weather persists. Grahame Madge, a Met Office spokesperson, stated: "We have issued another amber warning for eastern and central England for Friday. As the forecast continues to evolve we may need to issue further updates once more detail becomes clear."
Calls for Cool Hubs
Liberal Democrat MPs have urged the government to open air-conditioned public buildings as "cool hubs" for vulnerable individuals during the heatwave. They suggested gyms, leisure centres, libraries, and other facilities could provide respite for those most at risk from the intense heat.
