Sunseekers are flocking to the beach to soak up what could be the last of summer in this week’s heatwave.

As the county bakes in the late hot weather, tourists and locals are heading to Brighton beach to sunbathe and swim in the sea.

The mercury is peaking at 27C in Brighton most days this week, with the hottest day predicted to be Thursday when it could be 28C.

In central parts of Sussex, temperatures could hit 30C.

It is good news for business owners such as Seb Cole at Boho Gelato, an ice cream shop with branches in Pool Passage and Ship Street, Brighton.

The Argus: Seb Cole at Boho Gelato in Pool PassageSeb Cole at Boho Gelato in Pool Passage (Image: The Argus)

“This week is a real gift. It’s amazing and we, like other people who have businesses near the seafront are jumping for joy,” said Seb.

“Any extension of the hot weather is good for us. With a couple of warm weeks we can get back what we missed out on in the summer.”

 

Jacqueline Priestley, from Brighton, was sunning herself on a deck chair.

“I live here but I am just enjoying a bit of sunbathing. I haven’t got down to the beach so much this summer because of the weather. I was spending more time on my balcony," she said.

“This is about as hot as I like it. I think I will skip the beach tomorrow if it is any hotter.”

One family came down to Brighton for the day from a holiday in Tunbridge Wells.

The Argus: From left Kevin Blows, Ian Bacon, Chris Bacon and Lynsey BaconFrom left Kevin Blows, Ian Bacon, Chris Bacon and Lynsey Bacon (Image: The Argus)

Ian Bacon and his wife Chris said: “It is a bit too hot for us today but Brighton is beautiful.

“We are from the coast so are used to the wind and rain.”

Emma Dunn came down from London with her children to make the most of their last day of summer holidays.

The Argus: Emma Dunn and her family came down from London for their last day of the summer holidaysEmma Dunn and her family came down from London for their last day of the summer holidays (Image: The Argus)

The hot weather has brought joy to some business owners but others were not so thrilled.

Tasha Hirst, a shopkeeper at Beadazzle Gift Shop on the lower promenade near Shelter Hall, said: “This season has been lacklustre and unfortunately a week like this won't make up for it.

“We were so busy in May and had a few busy days at the beginning of the season but because of the cost of living crisis people just don’t have disposable income.”