One of Helsinki’s most famous landmarks is turning into an urban garden of restaurants and bars, to try an boost local businesses impacted by a lack of tourists.
Helsinki’s Senate Square, usually the focal point of tourist activity in the capital during summer, is getting a socially-distant reinvention.
On 1st July the square will become a summer urban garden with bars, restaurants and music, in a bid to bring in locals and domestic visitors and give the city centre an economic boost.
“It’s going to be a really nice set up of restaurants, cafes and bars. We’re going to have 16 restaurants and cafes, and as a starting point we’re going to have 480 seats. We will most definitely have music and maybe later live concerts as well” explains Peggy Bauer the manager from Tori Quarters who is putting the Senate Square event together.
At this time of year thousands of tourists each day are usually disgorged by their cruise ships and driven the short distance by bus to Senate Square for sightseeing. The coaches, often parked a dozen deep, are frankly an eyesore, but this year they’re nowhere to be seen as the impact of the coronavirus crisis decimates the international tourist industry.
The reinvented Senate Square that’s shaping up ahead of Wednesday’s opening could be a blueprint for what to do with the space in future – especially if it helps generate extra revenue for local businesses which would normally be busy with a tourist influx.
“This summer will be a critical time for many entrepreneurs in Helsinki. The Senate Square market will benefit the companies and people that do business there, but we also trust it will function as a catalyst for renewed activity, business and domestic tourism in the city centre” says Helsinki Mayor Jan Vapaavuori (NCP).
The city is making use of the wooden huts which usually come out for the Christmas Market in December, but they’re getting a summery makeover for the new bar and restaurant hotspot.
“We’re really putting all this together for the local tourists and Helsinki people. This summer is going to be totally different, and we don’t have tourists, Finnish people won’t be traveling perhaps that much during the vacation so we are trying to make a really beautiful destination to come and visit Helsinki, the capital” Peggy Bauer explains to News Now Finland.
Local bars and restaurants
Organisers at the City of Helsinki received more than a hundred applications from different bars and restaurants for a space in the square, and Peggy Bauer says it was not an easy choice trying to make sure there are options which appeal to a broad range of people.
“We were trying to choose that the mixture would have many possibilities to choose so that everybody can find something they really like” she says.
Many of the brands are familiar to local residents including Bryggeri; Paisano; Muru & Pastis; Ravintola Sunn and Pizzeria Via Tribunali – serving breakfasts; lunches; cocktails and craft beer; as well as a wide range of dishes from burgers and pizza to traditional fried Baltic herring, Spanish tapas and fine dining options too.
But the new urban garden comes with some restrictions, and groups of visitors will be kept apart with planters using the grid pattern of Senate Square to form natural boundaries.
“Social distancing was the core thing when we were planning this whole area. When we were starting we were measuring the whole square and one of the reasons why it is becoming an urban garden as well is because we can line up different areas and we are making walking routes between places so we can be able to avoid crowd, if possible” Bauer explains.
The Senate Square venue opens on Wednesday 1st July, daily until the end of August, from 09:00 to 23:00.
Source: newsnowfinland.fi
Will the socially-distant reinvention of Senate Square be enough to compensate for the lack of tourists and truly boost the local businesses in Helsinki?
Hey JennaSmith82, the socially-distant reinvention of Senate Square sounds promising! While it may not fully compensate for the lack of tourists, it could certainly provide a much-needed boost to local businesses in Helsinki. It’s a creative initiative that could set a positive example for the future. Can’t wait to see how it unfolds!
Helsinki’s Senate Square is transforming into a vibrant urban garden with restaurants and bars! I think this initiative to boost local businesses is fantastic, especially during these challenging times. Can’t wait to enjoy the atmosphere with some good music and delicious food!
I think it’s a great initiative to turn Senate Square into an urban garden of restaurants and bars to support local businesses affected by the decrease in tourists. It will not only add a new atmosphere to the area but also provide a safe and enjoyable space for locals and domestic visitors to socialize and relax.
It’s fantastic to see Senate Square transforming into a vibrant urban garden with a mix of restaurants and bars to support local businesses. This initiative will not only boost the city’s economy but also create a welcoming atmosphere for residents and visitors to enjoy this summer.
I think the transformation of Helsinki’s Senate Square into a summer urban garden is a fantastic idea to support local businesses and attract visitors during these challenging times. It’s refreshing to see the community coming together to create a vibrant atmosphere with restaurants and music. I’m excited to see how this initiative will benefit the city center and potentially inspire future urban development projects.
I think this is a fantastic initiative to revitalize the local economy and create a vibrant atmosphere in the city. It’s great to see efforts being made to adapt to the current situation and provide a new experience for both locals and domestic visitors. I’m excited to see how this urban garden concept will unfold and hopefully bring positive changes to the Senate Square area.
Will the summer urban garden at Senate Square have any specific themes or decorations to enhance the atmosphere for visitors?
Yes, the summer urban garden at Senate Square will feature a variety of themes and decorations to create a vibrant atmosphere for visitors. From colorful floral arrangements to themed lighting and unique installations, the aim is to enhance the overall experience and make it a memorable destination for locals and domestic tourists alike.
Isn’t it amazing how Senate Square is transforming into an urban garden of restaurants and bars? Do you think this initiative will help boost the local businesses significantly?
As Peggy Bauer mentioned, the new urban garden setup with restaurants, cafes, and live music at Senate Square is a fantastic initiative to stimulate local business growth. By providing a vibrant and socially-distant environment, it has the potential to attract both locals and domestic visitors, thereby boosting the city center’s economy. It’s exciting to see such creative transformations taking place to adapt to the current circumstances.
I think it’s a fantastic initiative to transform Senate Square into a vibrant urban garden with restaurants and bars. It not only provides a boost to local businesses but also creates a new and exciting atmosphere for both locals and visitors. Looking forward to experiencing the summer music and live concerts in such a unique setting!
As a local resident, I’m thrilled about the transformation of Senate Square into a vibrant urban garden with restaurants and bars. It’s a fantastic initiative to support local businesses affected by the drop in tourism. Can’t wait to enjoy the summer atmosphere and music in this new setup!
It’s exciting to see Senate Square being transformed into a vibrant urban garden. The initiative to support local businesses and attract domestic visitors is commendable. I look forward to enjoying the diverse range of restaurants, cafes, and live music in this new setup!
As an Helsinki local, I’m thrilled to see the Senate Square event coming together. It’s great to witness the transformation of this iconic spot into a vibrant hub for locals and domestic visitors. Peggy Bauer’s vision for the urban garden with restaurants, cafes, and music sounds promising and I’m looking forward to enjoying the atmosphere this summer!