High streets felt the biggest impact, recording a 3.8 per cent year-on-year decline in footfall. Helen Dickinson, chief executive of the BRC, said: "The heatwave continued to bear down on retail footfall in July, with high streets worst affected. "London was hit particularly hard as soaring temperatures made tube and train travel less attractive, with some commuters and shoppers opting to stay home. Shopping centres also saw declines, with footfall down 1.4 per cent year-on-year. Andy Sumpter, from Sensormatic, said the weather was a decisive factor in deterring shoppers.