Marks & Spencer has announced plans to upgrade its refrigeration systems after fridges broke down during the June heatwave, when temperatures in the UK soared above 37°C. The supermarket's chief executive, Stuart Machin, told a shareholder meeting in London that some cooling equipment failed during the nine-day extreme heat event.
Investment in heat-resistant equipment
Machin said: 'There's no doubt we were struggling in those nine days of extreme heat. Now we're investing in equipment in our stores to deal with temperatures of 45 degrees. We're reviewing all our refrigeration as well.' The move comes as the Met Office warns that the UK could regularly see peak temperatures of 45°C by 2056.
Other major supermarkets also faced empty fridges as cooling systems struggled to cope, leaving shoppers without chilled goods during the heatwave. The June heat dome, which blanketed western Europe, forced several hospitals to declare critical incidents.
Another heatwave hits the UK
London is expected to bear the brunt of the July heatwave, with temperatures forecast to reach 34°C or higher later this week. The Met Office has issued an amber heat health alert covering London, the South East, South West, East of England, and the Midlands from Wednesday morning until Sunday evening. Deputy chief forecaster Steven Keates said nighttime temperatures in urban areas are likely to remain 'in the high teens Celsius overnight,' leading to tropical nights.
Tomorrow and Thursday are predicted to be the hottest days, with strong sunshine and very high UV levels. The UK has already experienced three heatwaves this year, and experts warn that extreme heat is becoming the new norm as climate change intensifies.
Hosepipe bans and water shortages
Rainfall has been scarce across the UK for weeks, increasing the risk of wildfires and straining water supplies. Thames Water has urged its 16 million customers to avoid using hosepipes and sprinklers to maintain supplies, though no official ban is in place in London. South East Water introduced a hosepipe ban in parts of Kent from July 3, effective until further notice. Southern Water's hosepipe ban will start across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight on Friday, July 10. Using a hosepipe in a banned zone can result in a £1,000 fine.
The ongoing dry spell and high temperatures have put pressure on infrastructure, from water supplies to supermarket refrigeration. Experts say such conditions are likely to become more frequent as the climate warms.
