A free interactive map called Where's Cool is helping Birmingham residents locate nearby air-conditioned venues as temperatures are forecast to hit 39°C tomorrow, June 25, making it the hottest day of the year. Today, the city is already sweltering at 36°C, leaving millions without home air conditioning struggling to cope.
How the Map Works
Where's Cool uses open government data to identify pubs, cafes, bars, and restaurants with air conditioning. It starts with the Food Standards Agency's list of every registered food venue in England and Wales, then cross-references the government's Energy Performance Certificate records to flag those with cooling systems. Users can search by postcode to find the nearest cool spot.
Creator's Inspiration
Thomas Chivers, the creator of Where's Cool, said: "I built it during the last heatwave because I couldn't find anywhere cool to sit and work, and I couldn't face reading through every cafe's Google reviews to check. It turned out everyone had exactly the same problem."
The map allows users to tap a venue and confirm whether it has air conditioning. Once enough people agree, the map updates, becoming more accurate with more use.
Importance During Heatwaves
Most UK homes lack air conditioning, making such a map vital during extreme heat, especially for older people and those vulnerable to high temperatures. Chivers added: "On a day like tomorrow, knowing where the nearest cool room is genuinely matters. Type in your postcode and it shows you. It's free, there's no app to download, and it works on your phone in the street when you're melting."
The map is accessible at wherescool.uk.
