Which London shops and restaurants are closing during the heatwave?

A number of businesses in London have closed or reduced their hours this week due to the stifling working conditions during the heatwave.

High temperatures creating “uncomfortably hot” working conditions have forced many eateries, shops and salons to shut.

Temperatures are forecast to hit 37C on Wednesday, with a red warning for extreme heat in place in the capital from Wednesday morning through to 9pm on Thursday.

This would smash the record June temperature in the UK, which is currently 35.6C, set in Southampton in 1976.

Temperatures are soaring in the capital (PA)

The Met Office has said that it “looks increasingly likely to see a two to three day period where maximum temperatures in the shade exceed 37C, perhaps rising to 38 to 40 Celsius in some places.”

The deputy chief forecaster for the Met Office, Mark Sidaway, said: “Red warnings are reserved for the most severe events, and we’re expecting severe and significant impacts from this heatwave, with health impacts likely for many.”

More than a dozen London locations have announced either complete or partial closures for Wednesday and Thursday, with many ceasing services from 12pm onwards.

Restaurants are among the hardest hit, partly due to heat caused by operating ovens, grills and frying equipment.

Swimmers keep cool in the hot weather open-air pool at a lido (PA)

Robins Pie & Mash has closed branches in Romford, Chelmsford and Chingford due to the hot weather, stating: “Our staff need a break from the hot kitchens.”

Many bakeries across London have reduced their opening hours too.

Toad Bakery in Camberwell was closed on Tuesday due to the “crazy” temperatures, and are serving a limited menu throughout the week, operating primarily in the mornings with “no bread, no sandwiches, and a reduced pastry menu”.

Viennese-style café Kaffee London has said that it “isn’t quite prepared” for the heatwave and will be shutting at 12pm instead of the usual 5pm finish.

The Met Office has upgraded an extreme heat warning to red (Getty)

Many other businesses have said that maintaining staff and customer wellbeing amid the heat was their priority, and that it would not be fair to ask employees to work under current conditions.

There is no legal upper limit to how hot a working environment can be, however employers are obliged to ensure staff safety and to consider taking action if the heat is putting workers at risk.

List of London sites closing or cutting opening hours during the heatwave:

• Angelic Hell Tattoo, Wandsworth
• The Butterfly Gardens, Bexley
• Dark Sugars Chocolates, various London locations
• Eleven Salon, Romford
• Greggs, Barnet and Leicester Square
• Innervisions Alchemy, Bermondsey
• Islington Boxing Club, Elthorne Park
• Kaffee London, Putney
• Leigh’s, Ardleigh Road, London
• Loop, Camden Passage, London
• Monkatsu, Cross Road, London
• Robins Pie & Mash, Romford, Chelmsford and Chingford
• Smith’s Garden Centre, West London
• Toad Bakery, Camberwell
• Wellgate Community Farm, Romford
• Yuzu Hair, Longfield Ave, London
• MG & CO, Ebury Street, Belgravia