Coronation washout sees huge demand for gazebos to rescue street parties

Last-minute sales and rentals of tents have been boon to small firms as Robert Dyas and John Lewis report 70% increase in sales

Some fear soggy cakes and mushy sandwiches. For others, it’s the thought of empty chairs at empty tables, their dreams of a right royal knees-up forsaken under dripping-wet bunting.

With heavy downpours predicted across the country, the organisers of coronation street-party organisers are desperately begging, borrowing and panic-buying gazebos.