Basking in the biggest heatwave for years, record high temperatures have resulted in a much-welcomed spike in sales for the UK pool and spa sectors heralding the return of the feel good factor to the UK water leisure economy. As Britain sweltered amid 19 successive days of heat, where temperatures exceeded 28°C, lidos attracted their biggest visitor numbers for years and water treatment chemical sales broke all records as an all-points bulletin was issued to track down the last splasher pool to be found in the country. At What! Stores in Gloucester, 600 pools sold out within a few days with more than 30 people queuing outside the shop before it opened to grab the last few in stock. Weather experts have calculated the temperatures in June and July were the hottest for seven years. This unexpectedly good weather has meant more people spending time in their gardens, and thinking about how to create the perfect relaxing outdoor space. Although it will take time for wholesalers to share the feel good factor, pool and spa retailers snatched the opportunity to dust off old stock, some of which had been sitting in storage for three years. The blistering temperatures even managed to warm economic outlooks. For the first time since Easter 2012, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) lifted its economic growth forecast for the UK this year from 0.7% to 0.9%… To read more, please subscribe here.
