The Drapers Arms to close kitchen on Thursday as temperatures soar

The Drapers Arms in Islington has announced it will close its kitchen on Thursday when temperatures are forecast to hit highs of 38ºC in the south east.

The pub, regularly featured highly in lists of the capital's best gastropubs, today announced: "Closing the kitchen on Thursday as cannot reasonably ask staff to work in a 40ºC environment. Drinks only, sorry."

Temperatures are expected to increase through the week, peaking on Thursday.

The Met Office's chief meteorologist Frank Saunders said: "There is a real possibility of records being broken this week, not only for July but also all-time records."

There is no legal upper limit to how hot a working environment can be, however, employers are under obligations to make sure working spaces are safe, and will have to consider taking action if the heat is putting staff at risk.

The Trade Union Congress has long argued for a maximum temperature of 30°C, or 27°C for physically strenuous working environments.

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