SCORCHING temperatures and World Cup fever have given a much-needed boost to local businesses in Swindon this summer.

The June heatwave and England’s success in the football have ensured a steady demand of meat for the barbecue.

Jane Burroughs, who runs TH Burroughs Family Butcher in Stratton St Margaret with her husband, has been doing specially-marinated kebabs for the summer season.

She said: “Barbecue-wise it’s been brilliant. That is what our main sales are now. Burgers, sausages, and loads of chicken. For sales it’s been really good.

“Normally our Saturday customers would be buying joints for Sunday, but since the hot weather kicked in everybody’s having barbecues. People are having barbecues mid-week as well because it’s such an easy way of cooking.”

David Chamber, from Basics Domestic Appliances, has had a busy time keeping up with the number of broken fridges and freezers.

“We’d had a good run on refrigeration. It’s hard to keep it in stock,” he said.

“This weather does finish off any refrigerators that are struggling because it’s a few years old. They’ve got to work over time so they pack up. We’ve done well on refrigeration, fridges, freezers, anything.

“It’s good for us, the only downside is you have to say no to people when we run out. Even my suppliers are running out of stock What we have got is going out the door pretty quick though.”

Dulcie Sleeman from Sleemans Pool and Spa Care in Stratton St Margaret, told the Adver: “It’s been nice and busy. We’ve been selling anything to do with pools or gas for the barbecues. It’s the hottest year for a while, so we’re having a good time. It makes all the difference.”

The June heatwave and World Cup has sent consumer confidence soaring to a seven-year high between April and June, according to the report by Deloitte, which has been tracking consumer confidence since 2011.