As the UK swelters in a record-breaking heatwave, a pop-up sauna has appeared on the London Underground – but it's not for passengers to cool down. The installation, set up by Currys in an out-of-service carriage at Walthamstow Pump House Museum, is designed to highlight the extreme conditions travellers face during hot weather.
Commuters compare Tube to sauna
New research commissioned by Currys reveals that 80% of commuters find the temperature on the Underground unbearable, while 76% say it is more uncomfortable than sitting in a hot sauna. Around two-thirds (67%) worry about arriving at work visibly sweaty.
Julia Gater, senior buyer at Currys, said: 'Anyone who has travelled on the Tube during a heatwave knows the feeling. The moment the doors close, it can feel like stepping into a sauna.'
Hottest Tube lines revealed
According to travellers, the hottest Tube lines are the Central line (37%), followed by the Northern line (23%) and Victoria line (22%). Subterranean temperatures regularly exceed 30°C, and passengers are often advised to avoid travel unless necessary.
Gater added: 'When we discovered that three in four Londoners think travelling on the Tube without air conditioning is even more uncomfortable than sitting in a hot sauna, we wanted to bring that comparison to life in a way that would make people smile while highlighting just how extreme summer commuting can become.'
Currys offers cooling solutions
While the pop-up sauna is a stunt, Currys is also promoting home wellness products to help people cool down. 'While we can't cool down the Central Line, we can help people create moments of relaxation and recovery at home,' Gater said. The retailer offers a growing range of wellness, beauty and lifestyle products, including cooling devices.
