We’re waving goodbye to washout July as the UK is hotting up and heading for a mini-heatwave today with highs of 30°C expected across Greater Manchester.
August is nearly here and so is the warm weather to go along with it.
Yesterday provided a glimpse into the weather we’re in store for, as temperature highs of 30°C were recorded in some parts of the UK, but forecasts indicate this will be exceeded today. The Met Office is even predicting that today could be the hottest day of the year so far, with temperatures expected to hit 35°C in some areas of London and South East England.
Highs of 30°C are expected across areas of Greater Manchester.
Andy Page, Chief Meteorologist at the Met Office, said: “The bulk of England and Wales will have dry, very warm and sunny weather to end the week, with Friday likely to be the hottest day of the year so far for the UK”.
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Today's top temperature in the UK was 30°C, recorded in London 🌡️.
The hot weather will be more widespread tomorrow with some places in eastern and southeastern England now expected to reach 35°C. This will make it the hottest day of the year so far 🌡️ #EnjoySummerSafelypic.twitter.com/3jh2VAeyIJ
As this warm weather today won’t be sticking around for very long though, forecasters are not classing it as a heatwave, prompting many to label it as a mini-heatwave instead.
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The Met Office defines a heatwave as “an extended period of hot weather relative to the expected conditions of the area at that time of year, which may be accompanied by high humidity” and the heatwave threshold, which varies depending on location, is reached when daily maximum temperatures are met or exceeded for three consecutive days.
Brent Walker, Deputy Chief Forecaster at the Met Office, said: “There is quite a change in the weather coming by the end of the week, with increasing sunshine and a day of hot conditions on Friday [but] it won’t persist long enough to become a heatwave as a cold front moves in on Saturday, bringing the temperatures back down to around average for the time of year.”
July 2020 has been colder than average across the whole of the UK, however that is not how it will end. The final day of the month is shaping up to be the hottest day of the year so far 🌡️ ☀️
The Met Office has also confirmed that July has been colder on average this year across the UK.
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Today’s rise in temperatures come after officials at the Met Office have spoken out about a recently published report into the effects and influence of climate change on UK weather, with Mike Kendon – Lead Author of the report for the Met Office – stating that: “The Central England Temperature series shows us that the 21st Century so far has been warmer than the previous three centuries” and Dr Mark McCarthy – Head of the Met Office’s National Climate Information Centre – adding that: “The climate statistics over time reveal an undeniable warming trend for the UK”.
For more information ahead of this predicted warm weather, visit the Met Office website here.
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The Department of Health and Social Care has today issued advice for keeping safe during warm weather, and Greater Manchester Fire & Rescue Service has also asked that the public remain vigilant, consider their actions and take care when in the countryside, or on the moors.
England is expected to experience high temperatures over the next few days ☀️
During heatwaves, it is vital to know how to keep cool as it can help save lives.
— Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (@manchesterfire) July 31, 2020
#EnjoySummerSafely
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Family-run Greater Manchester business calls out customers for punching cakes
Thomas Melia
A well-known independent Greater Manchester business has taken to social media to call out customers who were caught on CCTV punching their cakes.
Known for everything from cakes and pastries to hot baked goods and custom chocolate designs, Slattery’s in Whitefield has been serving up their gorgeous cake and chocolate creations for over 50 years, all while keeping the business family-run.
Unfortunately, the reason they’re receiving lots of attention at the minute is due to two customers resorting to violence on their pre-packaged sweet-treat products.
The social media account for this Greater Manchester chocolatier has uploaded two images which show the outcome of the fatal blows which struck two of their Victoria Sponge cakes.
Although this punch may have cost them the price of two of their delicious traybakes, later on in the post, Slattery’s issues a big thanks to “All the wonderful families who’ve visited so far this summer.”
“We know cake can be exciting, but a gentle reminder that little bakers should remain under adult supervision at all times – Thank you.”
This third-generation family-run “chocolate wonderland” has brought a smile to many locals’ and tourists’ faces alike with their wide variety of unique-shaped chocolate bars, lollies, grab bags and more.
All throughout 2021, Slattery’s were serving up their moreish Slattery’s Chocolate Lockdown Platters consisting of shortbread, brownies, fudge, pretzels, marshmallows and Oreos, helping Mancs continue to get our sugary fix even during one of the country’s toughest times.
Just look at them – they do the lord’s work:
Slattery’s chocolate shop and bakery has called out customers on social media for punching their pre-packaged cakes / Credit: The Manc Group
As well as attracting visitors with its grand three-storey bakery and chocolate shop, Slattery’s also has its very own restaurant, Mason’s Dining Room, where people flock to attempt the ‘Chocolate Challenge’.
To win, two chocoholics must team up to finish an American-style chocolate fudge cake with chocolate ice cream, a portion of fresh cream and two chocolate pots filled with liquid chocolate sauce – oh and two delicious hot chocolate drinks too.
Any sweet tooth successor will bag themselves one of Slattery’s chocolate medals and a box of handmade chocolates too – in case you needed chocolate anymore.
Lastly, anyone after supporting this Greater Manchester sweet-treat provider can find the chocolatier and cake makers on 197 Bury New Road in Whitefield or via Slattery’s official website HERE.
Featured Images – The Manc Group/Slattery’s (via Instagram)
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Plans to build tower next to Manchester’s historic Britons Protection pub scrapped
Danny Jones
Punters, rejoice: plans to build a large apartment tower next to Manchester’s Britons Protection pub have reportedly been scrapped after a long, drawn-out process and widespread protests.
What a relief.
One of the city’s oldest boozers, the Britons Protection was due to be dwarfed by a large development reaching 26 storeys tall, which not only would have encroached on the cultural landmark and storied watering hole, but also blocked out its popular beer garden to the rear.
We’ve seen a similar loss of outdoor drinking space with the recent St Michael’s development, which has essentially removed the equally historic Sir Ralph Abercromby pub – though it is at least getting a refurb – but in truth, the ‘Protect the Protection’ fight has been going on much longer.
As per a notice published on Manchester City Council’s website this week, it now appears that the plans for 72 new flats have been cancelled, with developers Arrowsmith Management having officially withdrawn their application.
Run by Bahraini businessman Mohamed Abbas Haji, the company is now said to be reassessing its options for the ‘Apex Tower’ proposals.
Speaking to the BBC, Mark Brennan – who took over the pub back in January 2025 – said: “I’m quite happy to be honest, a lot of people say the pub might be busier with more people about, but that doesn’t necessarily translate to people coming in here.”
“It would have looked horrendous… It’s Grade II-listed, so the pub should always be here. It wouldn’t have been a good look, having a big ugly building on top of our building.”
Countless Mancunians have echoed the sentiment over the past few years, with appeals dating back to post-pandemic and a big awareness push in 2021.
Standing for more than two centuries and holding countless awards, it was never going to go quietly.
It also happens to be quite comfortably on our list of the cosiest pubs in Manchester and has been since day dot.
Anyone who’s been in will know the sense of a warm welcome the place always puts out, and we’re overjoyed to hear that years of petitions and campaigning to save it have paid off.
These stories don’t always end with the right outcome (not often enough, anyway), so we’ll definitely be raising a glass to the Britons Protected this weekend.
Unfortunately, we do still have some other sad news from the hospitality sector, as our oldest Manc publican has passed away at a fellow favourite pub.
Emily Sergeant -
31st July 2020 
