Al Fresco dining is filling Soho’s streets for a second year, but how did Soho’s pandemic pedestrianisation success story come about?
A concept created by Transit Studio, an architecture practice based on Frith Street, Social Soho was a plan to help local businesses deal with social distancing once they were allowed to reopen. It involved working with business owners, the bigger landlords – such as Shaftesbury and Soho Estates –, and Westminster Council, and has meant over 90% of Soho restaurants opened for business. In fact, Social Soho has been such a success that some are calling for it to become a permanent fixture.
In this London Society talk, Ben Masterton-Smith of Transit Studio; John James, Soho Estates; Gary Henshaw, Ku Bar & She Bar (LGBTQ Venues); and Victor Garvey, chef patron of Californian soho restaurant at SO|LA discuss the plans, the challenges of making the scheme work for businesses, visitors and residents, and how Social Soho has enhanced the unique nature of London’s most vibrant neighbourhood.
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