Woodies sold out of picnic benches and pop-up gazebos, and was forced to source new stock. It sold over 14,000 bags of charcoal this month, 50% up on July last year. It sold more than 3,000 instant barbeques and sold out of its top of the range 699 barbeque. Sales of garden furniture sets are up by more than 30%, and Woodies shifted 6,400 parasols this month.

Woodies has brought forward containers due for delivery in August and September. But there is also a business downside. Paint sales are down, Coleman said, because people have been too lazy for DIY. "As you can see, it's all about relaxez-vous in this kind of weather."

Lawnmowers aren't selling, because grass is burning rather than growing, but people are still busying themselves prettying their gardens to entertain.

"The nurseries that supply us with summer bedding plants have sold out, " Coleman said. "We have sold over 1.5m summer bedding plants so far this July, double what we sold in the full month of July last year."

He said he was "surprised" to see that decking sales have increased. "I didn't think people would go to the bother, but decking sales are up by 15% in the month."

Those sheltering indoors from the heat have also proved good customers for Woodies' 24 stores. Fan sales are up ten-fold on July last year.