Lately, we have seen a reorganisation of many Italian cities in order to cope with the effects of the pandemic, with much more outdoor space now being used including in places where it was previously not allowed. That need has also been dictated by people’s desire to spend time together and enjoy the sights and sounds typically found outside bars and restaurants (piazzas, tree-lined avenues, nearby monuments) and to feel safer by not being in a closed space.

It is worth remembering that the recent measures in the so-called “Relaunch Decree” of the 18 May included exemption from the tax on the occupation of public spaces and areas (TOSAP) and exemption from the fee charged for the occupation of public spaces and areas (COSAP) for catering and tourism-related business until 1 November.

The aim of this was to support foodservice activities and offer them a chance to relaunch their businesses after the serious damage done by the pandemic, which, for all its negative consequences did however at least relieve the sector of one of Italy’s biggest long-term problems: bureaucracy. 

Now everything is much simpler: you just have to send in an application to the local authority (by electronic means), and simply attach a floor plan, without paying stamp duty.

So if the warm weather naturally gets us wanting to spend time outside, then in all probability the coming months will see us flocking to those covered outdoor extensions.

Safety and design

In summer and in the kinds of mild autumns we have enjoyed in recent years, it is indeed worth making the most of the chance to be outside.

The costs (of the overall design and the furnishings) are easily recouped. The outdoor extension is a kind of showcase for a restaurant, a tableau vivant of diners that is publicity for the food served and the atmosphere inside.

“The concept of the outdoor extension has changed radically in the last few years,” explains architect Luisa Battaglia of Scab Design. It has gone from being considered as a secondary ‘overflow’ area, to a place that offers an outdoor living experience. This year Scab didn’t really need to make any changes to its designs in dealing with the immediate demands of the Covid19 situation, thanks to the wide range of products it offers. For the new Finn line, by Marcello Ziliani, fabrics were selected that were specifically designed to be very easily washed and disinfected and not be spoiled by any of the substances used for this purpose.”

There is no doubt that the times we have been going through have prompted a rethink of spaces where people gather so that they guarantee everyone’s safety and comfort.

“Our range of KE Outdoor Design solutions,” the company says, “reflects both requirements through the use of screens which on the one hand create spaces intended for relaxation, and on the other provide new spaces that increase the commercial possibilities. Take for example the Sicura Plus side awning, which responds to the ongoing need to increase the areas customers can use safely, without sacrificing design. Sicura Plus creates a “partition”, to create a number of quite distinct areas: it is perfect when greater privacy is required and in outdoor spaces where there is a desire to mark off specific areas”.