The UK has experienced repeated heatwaves this summer, with both Jersey and Guernsey seeing their warmest Julys since their records began – this has impact fridges and freezers
A UK supermarket chain is working on plans to help its stores cope amid a sweltering UK summer after a “small number” of its fridges and freezers experienced issues this season.
The Channel Islands’ Co-op said the issue was due to “exceptionally hot weather”. It chief executive Mark Cox has said the challenges have not been unique.
Mr Cox said on BBC Radio Jersey that about 10 of its frozen food and refrigeration units in stores across Jersey and Guernsey had broken down in the heat in recent weeks.
The UK has experienced repeated heatwaves this summer, with both Jersey and Guernsey seeing their warmest Julys since their records began.
Mr Cox said whenever issues had arisen, Co-op’s “priority has been to act quickly to protect food safety and minimise disruption”. All issues have now been resolved.
“Certainly through our infrastructure, with refrigeration and frozen food, that heat has meant that equipment has been working really hard over that period,” he said.
“I think we’ve probably had across our store estate 10 units out of action, whether that be frozen food case or a refrigeration case – as we stand today we don’t have any issues.”
Product loss had been “very small” as a result of the break downs and staff have worked working quickly to avoid food waste.
Mr Cox expects to see “an improving situation” as temperatures start to cool in the coming weeks.
Co-op is developing plans to ensure its infrastructure could cope with high temperatures in the future.
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