As climate change drives more frequent and intense heatwaves across the UK, councils are exploring practical ways to make urban spaces more comfortable. One simple yet effective idea resurfacing is the return of traditional shop awnings — the colorful fabric canopies that once lined many high streets.
This suggestion came from Duncan Hounsell, former chair of Bath and North East Somerset Council’s planning committee, during a heated council meeting discussing emergency adaptations to extreme weather. On July 16, some councillors were visibly fanning themselves as temperatures soared, highlighting the urgent need for action.
David Biddleston, a Labour councillor for Keynsham South, introduced a motion urging the council to strengthen its resilience against climate-related risks. The motion passed unanimously, underscoring a shared commitment to tackling the growing impacts of heatwaves. Biddleston noted, “The Met Office warns that exceptional weather events are becoming the new normal, and recent heatwaves have tragically caused thousands of deaths in the UK.”
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Manda Rigby, Bathwick’s cabinet member, echoed the warning: “The current extreme weather is just a preview of what’s to come. We have plans for heat and cold emergencies, but we need to involve councillors more deeply in this work.”
Hounsell offered a nostalgic yet practical remedy. Recalling his childhood in Ashton Gate and Bedminster, he said shops proudly displayed awnings that provided much-needed shade. “Keynsham High Street has felt unbearable under the hot sun recently. If shop and public building owners invested modestly in awnings — and if planning policies encouraged them — we could see immediate temperature drops by several degrees.”
Supporting this approach, researchers at Loughborough University recently found that external shading—such as blinds or shutters on windows—stands out as one of the most cost-effective ways to reduce indoor overheating during hot weather.
Bath and North East Somerset Council, which declared a climate emergency in 2019, has a track record of promoting sustainability. Its net-zero house building standards rank among the highest for energy efficiency in the country, though upcoming government reforms may challenge these gains.
Reintroducing charming awnings could blend heritage with environmental resilience, offering shade and cooler conditions on the high street while paying homage to traditional urban design.