Shoppers freeze as air conditioning leaves Tesco, Sainsbury’s and M&S colder than ALASKA
Customers have donned winter clothing on their weekly shops to cope with the ice cold temperatures
SHOPPERS are being forced to brave bone-chilling temperatures as low as 0.8C (33F) in supermarkets as stores adjust air-con in anticipation of July heat.
Tesco, Sainsbury's and M&S have been bombarded with complaints from customers suffering in the conditions colder than some parts of Alaska.
The big chill came after shops turned up their air conditioning to full blast in preparation for predicted sweltering heat in July.
But customers, some of whom have been forced to dig out winter coats for their weekly shops, have responded by sending a flurry of complaints to the high street names.
A Tesco in Newcastle upon Tyne set temperatures at a chilling low of 0.8C, while Sainsbury's plummeted to 2C (35.6F) and Marks and Spencer froze shoppers with 2.5C (36.5F).
By comparison, Alaska's northernmost city of Barrow, located above the arctic circle, experienced temperatures of 4C (40F) this week.
The ideal ambient shopping temperature is 18C (64F), according to the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers.
Regulars of the supermarket chains condemned the 'blizzard-like' conditions inside shops.
Martin O'Donnel, 58, a frequent Tesco shopper in Newcastle, said: "It is always really cold in there and I usually wear a big coat and hat with scarf.
"I don't really feel the cold much when I am outside, but it is like a blizzard going through those fresh food and freezer aisles."
Meanwhile in the West Midlands shoppers braved temperatures as low as 8C (46F).
In cars the lowest air conditions that can be set is 18C (64F).
The ice-cold made Linda Mason, 59, want to "run back outside" during her weekly shop.
The estate agent from Birmingham said: "The supermarkets make you want to run back outside on a warm day like today. Smaller supermarkets aren't so bad, but the bigger ones are absolutely freezing."
Elsewhere, Sainbury's in Manchester was recorded with temperatures at 11C (52F), while the highest temperatures were found in M&S at 16C (61F) - still below the recommended setting.
The results come after a survey was conducted using digital thermometers at branches of Tesco, Sainsbury's, M&S and Waitrose around the country.
Matt Snowden, of CIBSE said: "Thermal comfort is an issue for both shoppers and staff at supermarkets. But it can be difficult to keep the temperature within comfortable limits in a supermarket because of their size and the variety of heating and cooling needs in different areas.
"Particularly at risk are aisles with groups of refrigerated cabinets, which can create permanent cold zones compared with the ambient and non-food areas. On the other hand, areas where hot food is prepared often suffer from overheating, and need to be cooled."
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