'We'd all be huddling together for heat' - Edinburgh reacts to concept of open-air cafes and restaurants during social distancing

Readers have been airing their views on a new option being mooted to help hard-hit cafes and restaurants in Edinburgh put tables outside on streets and public spaces, while maintaining social distancing.

The Grassmarket, George Street and Princes Street Gardens are among the areas which could be used by businesses to seat people who want to go out to enjoy a meal or coffee outside.

FULL STORY HERE: 'Recreating the cafe street scene' - Is this the way for Edinburgh's cafes and restaurants to reopen while maintaining social distancing?

Business chiefs say there’s a need to explore how an open-air cafe and restaurant scene might work, in a bid to help the hospitality trade survive, with social distancing set to continue in Scotland for the rest of the year.

A recent picture of the Grassmarket during lockdown, and one showing tables outside a business during a previous summer.

Edinburgh-based licensing specialist Caroline Loudon, a partner in UK-wide law firm TLT, has been in talks with clients and architects this week who are working on new layouts in preparation for a “stepped process” out of lockdown.

She says one idea raised involves using perspex screens as transmission barriers between tables to enable social distancing while seated, something which is happening in Italy, Germany and Spain in social settings like supermarkets or beaches.

The hope would be for cafes and restaurants to operate in a socially distanced way by July or August. But discussions are at any early stage and the idea would be reliant on the willingness of Edinburgh City Council and the Scottish Government, particularly in relation to how strict lockdown measures are lifted and the decisions to close public roads and use public space.

Readers’ Views

Edinburgh Evening News readers have been giving their views about the idea on social media, with many highlighting the obstacle of weather and practicalities of seated service.

One reader, Angela Mcdermott, said: “Who’s thought this one up? Given the weather we have ... unpredictable at best. Social distancing would go right out the window as we would all be huddling together for a heat.”

Ivona Dutkova said: “Sounds doable anywhere else but Scotland, unfortunately.”

Cameron Nigel Hogg said: “Hope the weather plays ball.”

Lewis Hill was definitely not buying the idea and raised some good points. He said: “Not one mention of the chefs cooking, keeping social distancing for each other, or bar tenders working together and what are the waiters supposed to do, fling food at customers from two meters away?”

John Davies said: “Weather?? Always an issue!”

But Sandra Beattie said: “Last time they closed George St and put up tents, thick ones with heating.”

Fraser Hunter said: “Virus will still spread however how you try to box people off. Keep away from groups of people the best you can and, to be honest, I think the vast majority of people will anyway until a vaccine or treatment is available.”

Robbie Howie said: “Not really sure how this would work once people have a drink in them and the weather, also would all business that can’t have outdoor seating recieve another grant, otherwise it’s unfair some can trade and others have to stay shut.”

But Liz Mcgaw said: “As long as this is not at the cost of bus service through Grassmarket. It is still residential with a high elderly population who would be left isolated.”

And Katrina McGlashan Brown: “Why not?”

John Cameron-Clark said: “Great Idea!”