London is experiencing its third heatwave of the year, with temperatures soaring to 34°C. For those seeking relief from the sweltering conditions, a new online map called Where's Cool identifies every pub, restaurant, café, and bar in England and Wales that is confirmed to have air conditioning. In London alone, 1,400 venues are listed, offering a cool escape for residents and visitors alike.
How the map works
The map's creators use data from the public MHCLG Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) to verify which venues have cooling systems. If a venue's EPC indicates it has cooling, it is tagged as confirmed. Additionally, the site relies on user confirmations; once multiple users agree that a venue has air conditioning, it is added to the map. Out of more than 280,000 pubs, cafes, restaurants, and bars across England and Wales, only 8,000 are confirmed to have air conditioning, with 1,400 of those located in London.
Creator's inspiration
Thomas Chivers, the creator of Where's Cool, said: 'I created this map in May, in the middle of the first heatwave. I'm really glad I did, because we're now somehow on our third and it's only July. I needed to find somewhere cool to work because my flat was far too hot to work in. For those of us, like me, who work from home without aircon, it's become a necessity to know where we can go with our laptops when the temperature starts to creep above the 30 degree mark. Hopefully the Where's Cool map can be useful in helping others find a place to go and cool off, as well as helping out the hospitality venues who can always do with the customers!'
Impact on Londoners
The map has become an essential resource during the heatwave, providing a practical solution for those without air conditioning at home. It also supports local hospitality businesses by directing customers to their venues. The map is available online for public use, and users are encouraged to contribute by confirming air conditioning at venues they visit.
