Due to extreme heat conditions, bakery chain Greggs has temporarily shut down 11 of its stores on Wednesday and Thursday for safety reasons. Concerns for the well-being of both employees and customers led to the decision, especially considering the presence of large ovens in the affected stores.

In response to the intense heat, employees from a London store that was closed have been relocated to other branches. One worker highlighted the lack of proper air conditioning in the stores, making the working conditions particularly uncomfortable.

The impacted stores include Aldridge, Wolverhampton, Luton, Gosport, Trowbridge, Barnet, Marlborough, Wantage, Dudley, Northampton, and Leicester Square in London. Greggs has been reached out to by the Mirror for a comment on the situation.

The heatwave in Britain has caused disruption, with over 1,000 schools closed due to safety concerns. Additionally, transportation has been heavily affected, with railways being suspended due to soaring temperatures. Operators have advised against unnecessary travel. The RAC reported a 20% increase in callouts for broken-down vehicles on Tuesday.

The Met Office has extended the rare red warning for extreme heat to the south coast of England, encompassing areas like Brighton, Bognor Regis, Portsmouth, Southampton, Bournemouth, and Dorchester. An amber warning for heat has been issued for Friday in eastern and central England, as the hot weather is expected to persist throughout the week.

Forecasts suggest the possibility of further extreme weather updates as conditions develop. Grahame Madge, a Met Office spokesperson, mentioned the potential for additional warnings as more details emerge.

Liberal Democrat MPs have urged the Government to open air-conditioned public buildings as “cool hubs” for vulnerable individuals during the heatwave. Suggestions include using gyms, leisure centers, libraries, and other facilities to provide relief to those at higher risk from the extreme heat.