Britain needs an alfresco dining revolution to bring life into its cold city centres
One Sunday last September, I sat at a table outside one of Lyon's famous traditional 'bouchon' restaurants, eating a sumptuous prix-fixe lunch, as the heavens opened and a small monsoon pounded the cobbles around me and the parasol above my head. The waiter asked if I wanted to move inside. I demurred; as long as my andouillette and I were still largely dry, I was enjoying the people-watching and the view of the pretty, sand-coloured buildings too much to worry about a few stray drops. If a bit of rain didn't put me and my fellow diners off, why should many parts of the infamously cloudy UK be so opposed to the notion? In fact, London has less annual rainfall than Rome, Paris or Vienna.
Foremost among the stories we tell about ourselves as a nation is that we do things differently to those carefree continentals. There is a reason we have had to take – and mistranslate – the term 'alfresco' from the Italians and 'flâneur' from the French (dawdler), and are still ignoring the Spanish 'sobremesa' (after-dinner socialising around the table) and 'paseo' (an early-evening stroll) – because we have often been a private, lonely bunch compared with our neighbours across the Channel. You will be familiar with the trope: an Englishman's home is his castle and, given that the moat is maintained by Britain's private water companies, it is probably safest if we shelter indoors until the worst has passed.
But the weather that gave us the sunniest April on record has continued into May and pushed a lot of Britons out of their homes, blinking into the light. In a canny attempt to make hay while the sun shines, the London mayor, Sadiq Khan, has announced the Summer Streets fund, a new plan to support outdoor dining and drinking, and extend opening hours in the capital. The £300,000 provided will support London's 32 councils (and the distinct City of London) to create new outdoor eating and drinking areas, while restaurants, venues and bars have been promised that their red-tape burden and fees will be waived or reduced. It's not a lot of money – the mayor doesn't have access to a lot of money – but the principle, and the signal of intent about what our cities should look like, is important.
The ostensible motive is to throw a bone to a desperate hospitality industry. Food and drink businesses have faced the impact of Brexit, then Covid and soaring costs, staff shortages and supply-chain disruption – not to mention turbo-charged rents in our major cities. During the pandemic, spurred by the need for social distancing and fresh air, hospitality across the country created dedicated outdoor seating areas aided by temporary road closures.
However, not all of these changes stuck. Soho's high-profile scheme was wound up by Westminster council in September 2021, after a concerted campaign by local residents – and no fewer than 16,000 new outdoor seats were folded up and brought inside. Specific pavement licences were introduced in 2020 and are required by law, and carry fees, paperwork and a consultation period – councils take into account pedestrian traffic flow, accessibility, insurance, impact on nearby residents and so on.
Now, with this scheme, some of the joy and conviviality that helped so many people through those dark moments can be revived. There is a socio-cultural miserablism to British self-identity that says 'we can't have nice things like this', as though it's 'not our way'. I don't think there is any truth to that: social habits are quickly learned and unlearned, and they largely respond to what is permitted. Build a street-dining culture and people will take the seats on offer.
It could also help offset the tendency of London's developers to build people-phobic public spaces. Privately owned public spaces, or Pops, such as Canary Wharf (part-owned by Qatar) or More London near Tower Bridge (owned by Kuwait), are just mirages where real public space should be – they are patrolled by private security guards and carry a series of hidden prohibitions, rules and regulations. Then there is 'hostile architecture', which in practice means awkward benches that aren't comfortable to sit on for longer than two minutes. The 'hostility' in the name is primarily directed at homeless people and young people pursuing harmless activities such as skateboarding – but really, the hostility is towards the public in general. The British capital too often feels like an antisocial city full of sociable people. It's time to let them out to play.
Dan Hancox is a freelance writer, focusing on music, politics, cities and culture
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Daily Mail
29 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Europeans are warned to stay indoors as continent goes on high alert for extreme 47C heat and forest fires and Met Office says hottest day yet is coming for UK
Europeans have been warned to stay indoors as the continent goes on high alert for extreme 47C heat - as the Met Office says the UK's hottest day yet is on its way. The mercury is set to rise to 36C on Monday in parts of the UK in what could be the hottest June day in record and the highest temperature in nearly three years. An amber heat health alert has been activated until Tuesday covering the East Midlands, South East, South West and East of England, alongside Somerset - where Glastonbury is roaring ahead. And hayfever sufferers may have to lock themselves inside as a pollen bomb is set to be released on the same day - with very high levels across the south and midlands at the start of the week in what experts say will be the 'perfect storm' of misery. This week forest fires and flash floods have wrecked chaos across the continent, with warnings a heatwave is bearing down. Sweltering infernos have melted roads in Italy while raging wildfires tore through Greece. Two-thirds of Portugal will be on high alert on Sunday for extreme heat and forest fires, with 42C expected in the capital Lisbon. Residents of the southern French port city of Marseille and across Spain are also bracing themselves for 40C while it could reach highs of 39C in Rome. And it is only going to get more intense as the week goes on -with Sicily and areas of northern Italy banning outdoor work in the hottest hours of the day. In Nice, on the French Riviera, nearly 250 portable fans have been distributed to schools over the past two weeks to help cope with the heat. Temperatures could hit 31C (88F) today in southern England, with highs of 31C (88F) on Sunday, 36C (97F) on Monday and 31C (88F) on Tuesday. A so-called 'heat dome', where heat is trapped by a high-pressure system, is taking hold of the continent as well as another over eastern and central areas of the US. The conditions claimed the life of a Dutch tourist aged 34 who died from heatstroke in Mallorca earlier this week. France and Germany have been hammered by rain, hail and flooding - leaving three people dead, including a child crushed to death by a tree. Spaniards were advised by meteorologists to 'remain indoors as much as possible' and to avoid strenuous outdoor activities, while firefighters in Greece battled a wildfire that burned homes near the coastal town of Palaia Fokaia near Athens. In the UK, if the temperature reaches above 33.2C (91.8F) it would make it the hottest day of the year so far - beating the current record set last Saturday in Charlwood, Surrey. Experts say the intense heat and high pollen levels on Monday with create a 'worst of both worlds' scenario for the nation's 16 million hay fever sufferers. The South East, East of England, the East Midlands and West Midlands are expected to be the worst-hit regions with 'very high' pollen on Monday – while levels across the rest of the UK are mostly 'high'. George Sandhu, Deputy Superintendent Pharmacist for Well Pharmacy, said: 'Monday could be the worst day of the year for hay fever sufferers. 'High heat and pollen are the worst of both worlds for sufferers, who should consider limiting their time outside, keeping their windows closed and taking antihistamines.' 'My best advice to sufferers is to start taking your antihistamines right now, even if you have no symptoms yet. The earlier you take them, the more your body will be prepared to fight.' The record for the UK's hottest ever June day will also be under threat, having stood for nearly half a century at 35.6C (96.1F) after being set in 1976 in Southampton. The hottest day of 2024 was 34.8C (94.6F) in Cambridge on August 12; while the peak in 2023 was 33.5C (92.3F) in Kent on September 10; and the 2022 high was 40.3C (104.5F) on July 19 in Lincolnshire - the UK's highest temperature on record. An official heatwave is recorded when areas reach a certain temperature for three days in a row, with thresholds varying from 25C (77F) to 28C (82F) in different areas. Six tips for hayfever sufferers From George Sandhu, Deputy Superintendent Pharmacist for Well Pharmacy Monitor the pollen count I recommend doing a daily check so you know when you are most at risk. You can find this information on the Met Office website, which is constantly monitored Limit your time outdoors Pollen levels peak in the morning and evening, so be sure to avoid being outside then, or if necessary, only for short periods of time Keep windows closed Keep both home and car windows closed to reduce pollen entry. Use your air con rather than risk inhaling pollen particles Change your clothes regularly Pollen attaches itself to clothing when you are outside and can stay on your clothes all day. Be sure to shower and change your clothes after being outside to wash off any pollen that remains Wraparound shades I would advise wearing wraparound sunglasses to shield and protect your eyes. Sunglasses create a physical barrier between your eyes and the pollen, reducing the amount that can come into direct contact with your eyes, reducing irritation, itching, and redness, which are common hay fever symptoms. Also, with sunglasses, you're less likely to rub your eyes due to irritation from allergens, which can worsen the symptoms and lead to further inflammation or infection Consult a pharmacist If suffering from hay fever it is best to consult your local pharmacist and discuss what might be the best course of action Met Office meteorologist Craig Snell said yesterday: 'From Friday onwards we're starting to once again see the heat build across England and Wales. 'Scotland and Northern Ireland are going to have a slightly different few days, some parts of western Scotland could see some heavy rain, especially on Friday, and we could potentially see some further rain towards the end of the weekend. 'On Friday, we're likely to see temperatures potentially peak around 27C or 28C in central and southern parts of England, it's going to feel quite humid. 'On Saturday, the hottest weather will be in the south east, potentially 30C. On Sunday, we're most likely to see somewhere around 30C or 31C 'It looks like the peak of the hot spell will be Monday, at the moment it's looking between 32C and 34C, there's a chance it'll be hotter than the previous (heatwave). 'Tuesday, some fresher air is going to spread across the country, but we're potentially likely to see between 31C and 33C.' Some parts of central and southern England might meet the heatwave criteria by Monday, Mr Snell added. The Met Office forecast for London on Monday is 36C. Mr Snell also said that as of Monday, some potential thunderstorms could move in, but it is too early to say where they might be. Temperatures are likely to go back down to the mid-20Cs after Tuesday, which is still above average for the time of year, the forecaster said. The UKHSA activated the amber alert amid concerns that there could be 'a rise in deaths, particularly among those ages 65 and over or with health conditions'. The warning said 'significant impacts are likely across health and social care services due to the high temperatures' along with 'increased demand for power exceeding capacity' and 'heat affecting the ability of the workforce to deliver services'. It told of 'indoor environments overheating, increasing the risk to vulnerable people living independently in community and care settings'; and 'internal temperatures in care settings may exceed recommended threshold for clinical risk assessment'. There could also be 'issues managing medicines'; 'staffing issues due to external factors'; and 'other sectors starting to observe impacts - for example, travel delays'. Dr Agostinho Sousa, head of extreme events and health protection at the UKHSA, said: 'We have already seen a spell of hot weather last week and temperatures are once again set to increase in the coming days, with central, southern and eastern areas of the country likely to see the biggest impacts. 'Our findings show that heat, especially at the sort of temperatures we are likely to see at the beginning of next week, can result in serious health outcomes across the population, especially for older adults or those with pre-existing health conditions. Experts say the intense heat and high pollen levels on Monday with create a 'worst of both worlds' scenario for the nation's 16 million hay fever sufferers. Pictured: Pollen levels on Sunday (left) and Monday (right) 'It is, therefore, important to check on friends, family and neighbours who are more vulnerable and to take sensible precautions while enjoying the sun.' The National Pharmacy Association has advised patients to store their medicine away from heat zones and direct sunlight, warning that they can lose effectiveness or cause unwanted side effects. Vice-chairwoman and pharmacist Sukhi Basra said: 'It's important we take sensible precautions, including double-checking that your medication is stored correctly in a cool dry place, as per any storage instructions, ideally below 25C, as well drinking plenty of fluids and keeping your homes cool in the hottest hours of the day. 'We know the hot weather can be more of a challenge for older people or those with certain health conditions and it's important people check on vulnerable friends, family and neighbours during this period. 'If anyone has concerns at all about their health or their medication, please speak to your local pharmacy, who will be well placed to help.' Meanwhile data from Virgin Media O2 has predicted network traffic will drop as Brits head outside to enjoy the sunshine this week. Analysis of network traffic during the first heatwave earlier this month revealed that traffic fell by 7 per cent when the temperature hit 30C. Its poll found 41 per cent of UK workers admit to having pulled a sickie to make the most of hot weather, with that figure soaring to six out of ten 18 to 24 year olds. Weather expert Nacho Espinos has advised Spaniards to 'remain indoors as much as possible' and to avoid strenuous outdoor activities as the country prepares for the most extreme heatwave of the year. Emergency medical staff in Spain readied to deal with an unexpected surge in heatstroke cases, particularly among vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly and people with chronic illnesses. In neighbouring Portugal, the national meteorological agency IPMA said the heatwave would hit from today, with temperatures passing 40C in the south of the country as well as in the central Tagus and the Douro valleys in the north. Sunday will be even hotter, the agency added, and two-thirds of the country has already been put on orange alert. Temperatures are expected to hit 42C in the capital, Lisbon. The risk of fire is at its highest inland in the northern half of Portugal, as well as on the Algarve coast popular with holidaymakers in the south. In Greece, firefighters have been battling a wildfire that burned residences and holiday houses near the coastal town of Palaia Fokaia near Athens, which has forced people to flee. Fires have burned throughout the week, where frequent wildfires and floods in recent years have been exacerbated by a changing climate. In the area of Palaia Fokaia, 130 firefighters were supported by 12 aircraft and 12 helicopters as they sought to put out flames that were whipped up by high winds. Greek police have moved to safety 40 people, firebrigade spokesperson Vasilios Vathrakogiannis told a televised news conference, adding that coastguard vessels had sailed to the area to assist with more evacuations if needed. 'Firefighters are fighting a huge battle with the flames, mainly near houses,' he said, adding that a seaside roadway running across the affected areas was protectively cordoned off. Footage showed thick grey smoke rising over the region with lush vegetation, where air temperatures soared to 38C on Thursday. Authorities said the risk of wildfires would remain high on Friday before the weather got cooler. Fields, olive groves and some houses were ravaged by the blaze around Athens. Greece has spent hundreds of millions of euros to compensate households and farmers for damage related to extreme weather and to acquire new and modern firefighting equipment to deal with wildfires, which have been made harder to contain by rising summer temperatures. It has increased its number of firefighters to a record 18,000 this year in anticipation of another difficult wildfire season. Hundreds of firefighters in Greece also battled a wildfire which burned out of control on the eastern Aegean island of Chios, with authorities issuing multiple evacuation orders. GERMANY: A woman shields herself with an umbrella on Alexanderplatz square in Berlin amid a storm on Thursday Towering walls of flames tore through forest and agricultural land on the island, where authorities have declared a state of emergency and have sent firefighting reinforcements from Athens, the northern city of Thessaloniki and the nearby island of Lesbos. By Tuesday morning, the fire department said 444 firefighters with 85 vehicles were tackling the blaze on scattered fronts. Eleven helicopters and two water-dropping planes were providing air support. Emergency services issued evacuation orders for villages and settlements in the area since Sunday, when fires broke out near the island's main town. Apocalyptic scenes captured in images and videos showed firefighters battling the flames as the wildfires raged on, while thick plumes of black smoke filled the sky. Other videos showed helicopters spraying water over smoke-filled fields. Temperatures are also soaring over 40 degrees in Italy, the Balkans and Turkey. A motorway in Northern Italy was closed as burning temperatures caused roads to melt, local media reported. Italy's health ministry warned residents and tourists on Friday of soaring temperatures across the country, and issued a red alert for 21 cities this weekend - including Rome, Milan and Venice. People were advised to not go outdoors between 11:00 am and 6:00 pm, and to seek shelter in air-conditioned public places.
The Independent
2 hours ago
- The Independent
Map: Where second UK heatwave of 2025 will hit as temperatures set to soar to 32C
Britons are set to bask in another heatwave as temperatures rise to 30C this weekend and get even hotter into next week. Unsettled conditions on Thursday and Friday will still see temperatures steadily rise, with highs potentially reaching 28C in the south and east by Friday, the Met Office said. Thunderstorms are possible with warm, humid air set to linger in the south and east on Thursday, with maximum temperatures of 27C in eastern England, the forecaster added. But temperatures are unlikely to feel 'quite as muggy', meteorologist Honor Criswick said. 'For the first part of the day, it is set to be unsettled (with) outbreaks of quite heavy rain at times, particularly across Scotland,' he said. 'But it's fairly fast moving, so by the time we reach the afternoon, particularly from the west, we're going to see the return of those bright and sunny spells. 'And behind this area of rain, a much fresher feel to the air as well.' On Friday, forecasters said the unsettled conditions look set to continue. According to the Met Office, rain could be heavy in the west, while the east of England could remain dry, escaping with some sunny intervals. Parts of the south and east may also remain very warm, with highs potentially reaching 28C as the muggy air returns. Temperatures are expected to peak on Monday when much of the country will see temperatures in the early to mid-30s, the UK Health Security Agency said. It comes as the UKHSA issued an amber heat health alert, covering London, the East Midlands, South East, South West and East of England. It is in place from midday on Friday and will last until 6pm on Tuesday. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) also issued a yellow alert for Yorkshire and Humber and the West Midlands for the same time period, with the agency warning of significant impacts across health and social care services. Going into next week, a low pressure system passes to the north west of the UK on Monday bringing wetter windier conditions to the region. There will be dry and hot weather elsewhere across the country with temperatures reaching 32C in London and the south east, the Met Office forecast shows. Dr Akshay Deoras, a research scientist in the department of meteorology, University of Reading, urged people to 'treat extreme heat with the same respect you'd show a dangerous storm.' He advised against going outdoors during the hottest part of the day and stressed the importance of staying hydrated – drinking water regularly, even without feeling thirsty, and avoiding alcohol, which 'can accelerate dehydration.' To stay cool, he recommended wearing loose, light-coloured clothing and using a wide-brimmed hat when outside. People were also urged not to brush off symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, rapid heartbeat or headaches. 'These warning signs can rapidly escalate into life-threatening heatstroke if ignored,' he said. Anyone experiencing these symptoms should move to a cooler area, remove excess clothing and apply cold water to the skin, he added.
BBC News
3 hours ago
- BBC News
Southern Europe swelters as heatwave spreads
Health and fire warnings have been issued in countries across southern Europe, with temperatures expected to exceed 40C in some places over the Greece, France, Spain and Portugal are among the countries affected - with the Spanish city of Seville forecast to hit 42C. Hot air from North Africa, which is spreading across the Balkans to holiday destinations such as Croatia, is contributing to the soaring temperatures. BBC Weather says the heatwave is "very intense" for this time of the year -with the continent normally experiencing such high temperatures in July and early August. In Spain, emergency staff have been placed on standby to deal with a surge in heatstroke cases especially among the vulnerable including children, the elderly and those with chronic authorities are advising residents in several cities, including Rome, Milan and Venice - where several A-list celebrities have gathered for the wedding of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and TV presenter Lauren Sanchez - to stay indoors between 11:00 and 18:00 local time. France, meanwhile, has been experiencing a heatwave for more than a week. Orange heat alerts, the country's second-highest warning, were issued for southern regions on Friday. In the city of Marseille, municipal swimming pools are being opened free of charge until the end of the heatwave. Yellow and amber alerts are also in place for parts of England this weekend, with temperatures set to reach 32C. The heatwave is forecast to last until Tuesday evening. Wildfires have already struck some parts of Europe, including Greece, where coastal towns near the capital, Athens, erupted in flames that destroyed homes - forcing people to evacuate. While it is hard to link individual extreme weather events to climate change, heatwaves are becoming more common and more intense due to climate at World Weather Attribution, who analyse the influence of climate change on extreme weather events, say June heatwaves with three consecutive days above 28C are about 10 times more likely to occur now compared to pre-industrial times.
