Southsea beach is swarming with sunseekers as heatwave hits Portsmouth

SOUTHSEA beach is swarming with sun seekers as temperatures are soaring.
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People across Portsmouth are lapping up the sun as the Met Office issuing an amber warning for extreme heat and temperatures are set to rise this weekend.

Southsea beach and pier were swarming with sunbathers and families trying to get a look in on the sea breeze.

Melanie Smith, owner of Beaches & Cream, which is the oldest kiosk down the beach strip and was set up in the 1920s, said that the trade has been extremely busy with people indulging in sweet treats.

Pictured: Melanie Smith of Beaches & Cream at Southsea, Portsmouth
Picture: Habibur RahmanPictured: Melanie Smith of Beaches & Cream at Southsea, Portsmouth
Picture: Habibur Rahman
Pictured: Melanie Smith of Beaches & Cream at Southsea, Portsmouth Picture: Habibur Rahman

Melanie has owned the kiosk for eight years and has said that ‘it is all about the weather and when we have the weather people will come.’

She said: ‘It is a privilege owning this place and it is nice knowing that people have been coming here since the 1920s.

‘We are finding that quite a few people, particularly at the weekends, are coming from London or out of town to get some sea breeze and there has definitely been an increase in trade at the moment.’

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Pictured: Bailey 10, Lorraine Clark,  Kellie McGee and
Harrie 10 on Southsea beach.
Picture: Habibur RahmanPictured: Bailey 10, Lorraine Clark,  Kellie McGee and
Harrie 10 on Southsea beach.
Picture: Habibur Rahman
Pictured: Bailey 10, Lorraine Clark, Kellie McGee and Harrie 10 on Southsea beach. Picture: Habibur Rahman

Bailey Clark, 10, was ecstatic to be at the beach and he said: ‘We are enjoying the sun. You can't even that we aren’t in a different country.’

The 10-year-old who is from Paulsgrove was joined by his cousin, Harrie Clark, also 10, who was just as excited to be at the beach during a heatwave.

Harrie Clark said: ‘I think that it is amazing, I love it. It is the best part of the year.

‘I have been in and out of the water to cool down - I love the sea.’

Southsea beach
Picture: Habibur RahmanSouthsea beach
Picture: Habibur Rahman
Southsea beach Picture: Habibur Rahman

Dave and Linda Mallen, hit Southsea beach for a relaxed afternoon in the sun, and they both said that during their trip to Croatia last month, it was not as hot as it is in Portsmouth during the current heatwave.

Linda, from Southsea, said: ‘ I think it is lovely, I am sick of people moaning about the weather. I think we should just be grateful, but then again, I’m not working.

‘There are a lot of people on this beach and it is really clean. We have noticed that. It is just a good beach and it has a nice atmosphere. It is lovely to see so many people and families out.’

Pictured:Alfie Ruffle, owner Rio Vitalise at South Parade Pier, Southsea
Picture: Habibur RahmanPictured:Alfie Ruffle, owner Rio Vitalise at South Parade Pier, Southsea
Picture: Habibur Rahman
Pictured:Alfie Ruffle, owner Rio Vitalise at South Parade Pier, Southsea Picture: Habibur Rahman

The couple acknowledged the work that Colas do to help ensure that the beach is clean so that on days like today,people can enjoy the heatwave, rather than worry about rubbish and litter.

Portsmouth is currently thriving with holiday makers that are escaping the big cities to get some fresh air and space.

Susan Wardlow, from Bromley, has come down to the beach for a few days to escape the close quarters of London.

She said: ‘It is hot here but it is so much better than being in London at the moment.

‘It is a lot nicer with the breeze coming off of the sea. It is not as suffocating.