SWELTERING temperatures which caused a “mechanical failure” have led a Southampton convenience store to close its doors for business for almost a week.

The One Stop branch located on Peartree Avenue is shuttered closed and is no longer accepting customers.

A sign on the Bitterne shop’s door reads that it is shutting temporarily due to mechanical and heat issues, and that management is “sorry”.

It is believed that a prolonged period of record-breaking high temperatures caused the shops’ air conditioning system to break down on Monday.

Unable to maintain temperatures, one local resident reported that food was thrown out as a consequence.

One Stop staff have said that the shop will be closed for at least another three days while installation and repair work is carried out.

According to Southampton City Council, the store was due to be inspected by an Environmental Health officer who however found it closed on Monday.

A council spokesperson said: “We can confirm that an Environmental Health Officer visited with the intention to carry out a scheduled visit.

“They found that the premises were temporarily closed due to a problem with the air conditioning.

“The Environmental Health service has not taken any enforcement action in respect of these premises.”

Earlier in the year, the retailer was the victim of two ram-raid attacks in just two weeks.

In both incidents, the One Stop store on Peartree Avenue was targeted by thieves driving a van into the front door of the shop.

During the break-ins the thieves used trucks to smash their way into the premises.

The occupants of one truck were thought to be a group of three or four people, who then entered the store.

However, they are believed to have left empty-handed before leaving the area in a truck and another vehicle.