Council issues warm weather advice after hotter than ever May

Leeds has also seen record-breaking temperatures in recent years, including in 2022 when the city hit 40°C for the first time, triggering a red heat health warning by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).

In a report from 2025, the council’s director of public health set out key recommendations for Leeds to deal with rising temperatures, one of these being providing access to cool spaces.

A pilot is now launching across the city where cool spaces will be open for people to help them stay comfortable and well during hot weather.

These are indoor venues that help reduce health risks from heat by offering a place to rest and cool down. They are not intended to provide medical care or specialist support but offer free drinking water and spaces to rest and cool down.

A selection of community hubs and libraries, and some leisure centres and neighbourhood networks will offer the service from 1 June to 30 September. A full list of spaces can be found here.

Hot weather can pose a health risk for all but for some people, particularly older people, young children, pregnant women and those with long-term health conditions, the risk is greater.

The council is encouraging everyone to remember the importance of protecting themselves and others from too much sun or heat, especially between 11am and 3pm, and to stay cool and shaded and carry water.

Shading or covering windows exposed to direct sunlight can help keep the home from overheating, as well as opening the windows when the air outside is cooler than inside.

Residents can also sign up to the heat-health alert service which is provided by UKHSA in partnership with the Met Office. Find out more here.

Tick activity also rises over the spring and summer months with the risk of being bitten increasing. In rare cases ticks can spread diseases such as Lyme disease. Ticks are particularly common in grassy and wooded areas so sticking to clearly defined paths when out walking can help reduce the risk, as can wearing clothing that covers the skin.

People are advised to regularly check clothing or exposed skin to spot any crawling ticks and brush them off. Remove any attached tick as soon as it’s found using a tick-removal tool or fine-tipped tweezers. More information about tick removal can be found here.

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.”

Read the ‘Heat in the City: Our Health in a Warming Leeds’ report here.

See the full list of cool spaces at Welcome Spaces | Leeds.gov.uk.

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