Heatwave cools high street takings

The heatwave is keeping shoppers away from Britain's high streets.

Figures today show a 7.3 per cent fall in the number of visitors to shopping centres last week compared with the same week a year ago.

Excluding immediate post-Christmas periods, this is the biggest drop for more than two years. At the weekend, when temperatures hit a record 38.1C (100.6F), the number of shoppers was down 8.5 per cent on last year.

David Smyth, marketing manager at retail monitor FootFall, said: "Obviously people took the chance to either stay at home and enjoy the weather or make the most of the British beaches.

"As this hot weather persists, it will become difficult for retailers to estimate the impact on their specific business for the next few days, let alone the coming weeks."

A survey from the British Retail Consortium showed July's weather boosted sales of barbecue equipment-beer and ice cream, although clothing shops reported disappointing sales.

The temperatures and high smog levels have led to record numbers of people collapsing and suffering from breathing difficulties.

Staff at Surrey ambulance headquarters have had to put some 999 calls on hold for short periods. The London Ambulance Service saw a 20 per cent rise in 999 calls, with 1,400 calls about people passing out. Temperatures in London and the South-East are likely to fall to 26C by tomorrow.