The Met Office has issued the first-ever Red warning for “exceptional heat” as temperatures of 40°C have been forecast in the UK.
The national weather service has forecasted that exceptional heat is expected to affect a large part of England early next week – with temperatures likely in to be in the high 30°Cs in some places, and the most extreme cases, it could potentially even reach 40°C.
The Red extreme heat national severe weather warning will cover parts of central, northern, eastern, and southeastern England on Monday 18 July and Tuesday 19 July.
This elevated weather warning comes after an an Amber Extreme heat warning, has been in place for much of England and Wales for Sunday, Monday and Tuesday (17-19July) since earlier this week – but as of today, the Met Office says the amber areas are also being extended to cover Cornwall, west Wales, and parts of southern Scotland too.
“Exceptional, perhaps record-breaking temperatures are likely early next week, quite widely across the red warning area on Monday, and focussed a little more east and north on Tuesday,” explained Paul Gundersen, Chief Meteorologist at the Met Office.
“Currently, there is a 50% chance we could see temperatures top 40°C, and 80% we will see a new maximum temperature reached.
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“Nights are also likely to be exceptionally warm, especially in urban areas.
“This is likely to lead to widespread impacts on people and infrastructure, and therefore, it is important people plan for the heat and consider changing their routines. This level of heat can have adverse health effects.”
Met Office issues the UK’s first ever Red warning for ‘extreme heat’ / Credit: Met Office
The step up in warning level to red is running parrell to an increase in the current Heat Health Warning to Level 4 for England by the UK Health Security Agency.
Level 4 is used when a heatwave is so severe and/or prolonged that its effects extend outside the health and social care system, and at this level, illness may occur among fit and healthy people – not just those in high-risk groups.
Will it really hit 40 C within the next week? ☀️🥵
Here's Alex with an explanation of whether or not we think it's likely to happen 👇 pic.twitter.com/KnsPkJ2qql
Speaking ahead of the arrival of the warm weather, Dr Agostinho Sousa – Head of Extreme Events and Health Protection at UKHSA – said: “Heat-health alerts have now been issued to the majority of the country, with temperatures set to remain consistently high throughout the duration of the weekend and the start of next week.
“It is important to keep yourself hydrated and to find shade where possible when UV rays are strongest, between 11am and 3pm.
“If you have vulnerable family, friends and neighbours, make sure they are aware of how they can keep themselves protected from the warm weather.”
Robinson’s Brewery among latest to join the crucial ‘VAT’s the Problem campaign’
Danny Jones
In case you missed the news, local Greater Manchester business Robinson’s Brewery are among several big names to join the growing ‘VAT’s the Problem’ hospitality campaign.
The Stockport beer makers are just one of the latest recognisable brands to rally behind the initiative set up by well-known British chef Tom Kerridge.
As well as appearing on the likes of Great British Menu, MasterChef, and Saturday Kitchen, the restaurateur also sadly had to close his Manc restaurant at the Stock Exchange Hotel back in 2022 amid the ever-lingering cost of living crisis, as well as rising energy bills and business rates.
Spearheading this mass petition since the start of June, Kerridge is now being backed up by the likes of Robinson’s and many more who believe the change could prove vital for countless operators within the industry to survive.
Sharing a lengthy statement in the caption of a post on their social media profile, ‘Robbie’s’ wrote: “Hospitality is one of the UK’s greatest success stories. It employs millions of people, gives young people their first jobs, creates lifelong careers, keeps high streets alive and brings communities together.
“But the sector is under enormous pressure. Rising energy costs. Food inflation. Huge employment costs. Unjust business rates. The highest tax burden in the UK economy. And on top of all of that – a 20% VAT rate that is among the highest in Europe.
“Countries including Spain, Italy, France, Ireland and Germany know how important hospitality is to society, and they know it pays too much tax. That’s why they already support hospitality with lower VAT rates. The UK deserves the same.”
Proposing – along with their fellow campaigners across the country – for the VAT to be cut in half, they believe that 10% would not only help keep struggling bars, restaurants and more alive, but help further invest in job creation, aid customers when it comes to overall costs, and therefore “strengthen high streets and local communities.”
It isn’t just a case of reducing obstacles for those working within the sector, but an effort to help bring prices down across the board across Great Britain. Those who passionately serve the population are falling short, while those who want to patronise their favourite places can’t make ends meet.
“Because when hospitality businesses close, communities lose far more than places to eat and drink; they lose connection, opportunity and local identity. Help us, help our industry.”
Besides soon-to-be Prime Minister and outgoing Mayor Andy Burnham having been vocal in championing the campaign, others getting behind the movement range from native names like the Third Floor Rising cafe in Afflecks to fellow famous chefs like Scotland’s Tom Kitchin.
Issuing a statement to The Manc, the brewery’s MD for their pubs, William Robinson, went on to add: William Robinson, Managing Director of Pubs, went on to say: “The compounding impact of taxes on pubs and hospitality is really beginning to bite the sector; the changes to National Insurance and National Minimum Wage increases affect hospitality businesses especially hard.
“To be able to invest in our teams and future growth, hospitality needs to be given the same support it receives in other European countries. This will also allow us to employ and invest in younger team members and through that help them to develop skills which they can use throughout their careers.”
You can support the VAT’s the Problem campaign by signing the petition right HERE.
Road to Victory is turning Manchester’s Castlefield Bowl into the latest World Cup fan zone
Danny Jones
Manchester’s smash-hit Road to Victory is bringing its first-ever open-air World Cup fan zone to the city, as the event is set to take over Castlefield Bowl.
With England’s place in the semi-finals secured, it’s now a matter of just how far we can go…
The famous amphitheatre might be fresh from the 2026 edition of the annual Sounds of the City festival, but now they’ve decided to keep the ‘doors’ open for something equally special.
Norway was too soon, but now we’ve made it past the Scandinavian side, Castlefield Bowl will be welcoming roughly 9,000 fans for the semis against Argentina, AND (touch wood) the final.
Announced just before the tense quarter-final victory, the Road to Victory (RtV) team – backed by production company and promoters AIX Live, who specialise in multi-sensory, immersive fan experiences – have now confirmed moving into their latest Manc venue for the upcoming fixture at the very least.
Having started over at Depot Mayfield before moving to the likes of Diecast and most recently AO Arena, they’re planning to make the most of the ongoing heatwave by securing the beloved Bowl.
With the Manchester Storm ice hockey team returning to the Arena, they’ve had to vacate ahead of preparations; on the upside, it now means that we’re looking at one of the biggest outdoor supporter parks in the country, let alone just the North West.
Just imagine the vibes with the sun shining well into the late evening before the dusky sunset skies are filled with limbs and flying pints.
Here’s how it looked the last time we were there to cheer on the boys at the event:
Obviously, how many Road to Victory dates we get here all depends on whether or not Thomas Tuchel’s side make it past the reigning World Champions, Argentina.
Yeah, you know, just the world’s greatest-ever footballer in Lionel Messi and a team who have won back-to-back Copa America trophies. No biggie.
The demand was obviously expected to be huge from the off, with more than 40,000 joining the party for the 2022 World Cup, and the previous Euros final in 2024 sold out the AO Arena, so it’s no surprise that tickets are already selling out fast.
With that in mind, we’d say be quick on the draw; plus, make sure you get down early with doors from 5pm, as the Road to Victory pre-show will kick things off pronto, alongside live DJs, entertainment and bars – all of which promise to deliver an unparalleled festival-like matchday atmosphere.
You can grab yours right HERE and, in the meantime, if you’re still wondering where the best places to watch England vs Argentina in Manchester city centre are, you can find our round-up down below.
Emily Sergeant -
15th July 2022 
