As a result of social distancing rules many restaurants will have to reduce their indoor capacities when they reopen. Architect Ben Masterton-Smith believes that creating enjoyable alfresco dining areas may be key to restaurants' survival.
Masterton-Smith, who is the founder of Transit Studio, has created Social Soho ? a proposal to temporarily pedestrianise pockets of London's buzzing Soho neighbourhood so that hospitality venues can "flourish again".
By closing off the roads to traffic, restaurants and bars in the area will have more outdoor floor space where guests can safely drink and dine whilst maintaining social distancing.
"These outdoor areas will ultimately be the shop window to the restaurants and bars so inevitably they will be important visually to attract their audience," Masterton-Smith told Dezeen. "I think it is about bringing the summer to the streets with a degree of improvisation and spontaneity, but even a few plants, some colour and vibrancy can go a long way to create that."
Restaurants "don't have budgets to commit to grand designs"
Masterton-Smith designed Social Soho, after speaking with local operators, to focus on low-cost, understated ideas that could potentially be implemented by 4 July ? the date set by the UK government for the reopening of restaurants and bars.
Masterton-Smith?s proposals include placing two-metre-wide shared tables on the streets
"This is really a last chance for many in the hos...