Leeds City Council is urging residents to prepare for periods of extreme heat as the city braces for the risk of further heatwaves during the summer months.
The warning follows the UK recording its hottest day on record and comes amid growing concern about the impact of rising temperatures on public health. Leeds has experienced record-breaking heat in recent years. In 2022, temperatures in the city reached 40°C for the first time, prompting the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) to issue a red heat-health warning.
A report published by the council’s director of public health in 2025 outlined a series of recommendations to help Leeds cope with increasingly hot weather www.observatory.leeds.gov.uk These included ensuring residents have access to places where they can rest and cool down during periods of extreme heat. A city-wide pilot scheme is now being launched to provide designated ‘cool spaces’ at venues across Leeds.
The indoor spaces are intended to help reduce the health risks associated with high temperatures by giving residents a comfortable place to take a break from the heat. They will not provide medical care or specialist support, but visitors will be able to access free drinking water and somewhere to sit, rest and cool down.
A selection of community hubs, libraries, leisure centres and neighbourhood network venues will take part in the scheme, which will run until 30 September. A full list of spaces can be found at www.leeds.gov.uk
Victoria Eaton, Leeds City Council’s director of public health said:
“Some people face greater risk than others in the heat, including people living in densely-populated areas – especially older adults, young children, pregnant women and those with long-term conditions.
“There is great work being done across the city towards this, and we’re pleased to now also provide more cool spaces that people can access during hot weather.”
Councillor Mary Harland, Leeds City Council’s deputy leader and executive member for communities and community safety said:
“Providing spaces for people across Leeds to be able to cool down and have access to water is vital in helping everyone stay safe over summer. It’s very important that you know how to keep cool and hydrated if and when we experience hot weather.”
Councillor Emma Flint, Leeds City Council’s executive member for equality, adults and health said:
“Rising temperatures is affecting everyone, but we know that some people are more vulnerable than others.
“As a council we want to make sure that people in Leeds are aware of how to keep themselves and others safe in the heat by adhering to expert guidance and being prepared for heatwaves.”
Hot weather can pose a health risk to everyone, but some people are particularly vulnerable, including older residents, young children, pregnant women and those living with long-term health conditions. The council is encouraging people to take steps to protect themselves and others by avoiding excessive exposure to the sun and heat, particularly between 11am and 3pm. Residents are advised to seek shade where possible and carry drinking water when out and about.
Simple measures can also help prevent homes from overheating. These include shading or covering windows exposed to direct sunlight and opening windows when the temperature outside is cooler than it is indoors. Residents can also sign up for the heat-health alert service, which is run by UKHSA in partnership with the Met Office at www.weather.metoffice.gov.uk
The council is also reminding people to take precautions against ticks, which become more active during the spring and summer months. Although most tick bites are harmless, the insects can, in rare cases, transmit infections such as Lyme disease. Ticks are commonly found in grassy and wooded areas. People can reduce the risk of being bitten by keeping to clearly defined paths while walking and wearing clothing that covers exposed skin.
Residents are advised to check their clothing and skin regularly for ticks and brush off any that are crawling on the body. Any attached tick should be removed as soon as possible using a tick-removal tool or a pair of fine-tipped tweezers. More information about tick removal can be found at www.nhs.uk
Read the ‘Heat in the City: Our Health in a Warming Leeds’ report at www.observatory.leeds.gov.uk
See the full list of cool spaces at Welcome Spaces | Leeds.gov.uk
