Commercial parasols installation at All Bar One, Canary Wharf
Creating comfortable and weather protected outdoor seating is essential for modern hospitality venues. In high footfall locations such as Canary Wharf, outdoor spaces must be both visually appealing and practical for year-round use.
This case study highlights how Indigo Shading supported All Bar One in transforming an ordinary terrace into a welcoming outdoor drinking and dining area through the installation of professional commercial parasols with integrated heating.
Project overview
All Bar One, Canary Wharf is a popular destination for after work socialising, offering a wide range of beers, wines, cocktails, and food. Located in one of London’s busiest business districts, the venue attracts a steady flow of customers throughout the week.
To enhance the customer experience, the exterior space was redesigned to create a dedicated outdoor seating area where guests could relax while overlooking one of London’s most well-known locations.
Indigo Shading was appointed to support this transformation, supplying and installing high quality outdoor shading systems suitable for long term commercial use.
Site location and environment
Situated in Canary Wharf, the venue benefits from high visibility and strong footfall from office workers, visitors, and residents. Outdoor seating plays an important role in maximising this opportunity, particularly during warmer months and busy evening periods.
However, exposed urban environments can be challenging. Wind, temperature changes, and unpredictable weather conditions all affect how usable outdoor spaces are across the year.
Any shading solution installed at this location needed to perform reliably while maintaining a clean, professional appearance that matched the surrounding architecture.
Client brief and project requirements
Indigo Shading was contacted by a major design house working on behalf of All Bar One to improve the functionality and appearance of the outdoor terrace.
The brief focused on creating a space that:
- Supported outdoor dining and drinking
- Provided shelter from changing weather
- Remained usable during colder months
- Integrated with the venue’s branding
- Enhanced the overall customer experience
The objective was to create a practical, long-lasting solution that would allow the venue to operate its outdoor seating area more effectively throughout the year.
Installed solution and technical specification
To meet these requirements, Indigo supplied and installed three 3 x 3 metre commercial grade giant parasols.
Each parasol was customised with:
- Screen printed All Bar One branding
- Integrated Quartz electric heaters
- Centre mast mounted heating systems
- Professional commercial fixings
This specification ensured that the parasols provided both shade and warmth, allowing the outdoor area to remain comfortable even on cooler days.
The combination of large canopy coverage and integrated heating created a flexible solution suitable for both daytime and evening use.
Supporting year-round outdoor use
One of the key aims of the project was to extend the usability of the terrace beyond the summer season.
The addition of mast mounted Quartz electric heaters enabled the venue to maintain comfortable seating temperatures during colder periods. This helped ensure that customers could continue to enjoy the outdoor area throughout autumn and winter.
By combining shelter and heat within a single system, the installation reduced the need for temporary solutions such as portable heaters or blankets, creating a cleaner and more professional environment.
Branding and visual integration
Brand consistency is important in hospitality environments, particularly in prominent locations such as Canary Wharf.
Each parasol was screen printed with the All Bar One logo, ensuring the outdoor seating area remained aligned with the venue’s identity. This helped reinforce brand visibility while maintaining a cohesive appearance across the site.
The branded parasols also contributed to the overall atmosphere, transforming the terrace into a clearly defined, inviting space rather than an extension of the pavement.
Project outcome and customer response
Following installation, the new outdoor area proved extremely popular with customers.
What had previously been an ordinary looking terrace was transformed into a vibrant, comfortable space that encouraged guests to stay longer and return more frequently.
The improved shelter, heating, and visual appeal helped create a relaxed al fresco atmosphere that supported both daytime and evening trade.
This positive response demonstrated the commercial value of investing in well specified outdoor shading systems for hospitality venues.
Demonstrating hospitality sector expertise
This project highlights Indigo Shading’s experience working within the hospitality sector and collaborating with professional design teams.
By delivering a solution that balanced performance, branding, and usability, Indigo supported the client’s wider objectives while ensuring long term reliability.
Key elements of this expertise include:
- Understanding hospitality operating patterns
- Integrating heating and shading systems
- Supporting brand presentation
- Designing for year round use
- Managing installations in busy urban locations
This approach helps ensure that each project delivers practical value as well as visual impact.
Frequently asked questions
Are commercial parasols suitable for bars and restaurants?
Yes. Commercial parasols are designed for frequent use, public environments, and long term durability, making them suitable for hospitality settings.
Can parasols be customised with branding?
Many professional systems allow for screen printing and custom fabrics to support brand identity.
Can heaters be integrated into parasols?
Yes. Integrated mast mounted heaters are commonly used to extend seasonal usability.
Are commercial parasols suitable for winter use?
When combined with heating and appropriate specification, parasols can support outdoor seating during colder months.
What size parasols are typically used for terraces?
Common sizes include 3 x 3 metres and larger, depending on available space and seating layout.
Creating better outdoor spaces for hospitality venues
This installation at All Bar One, Canary Wharf demonstrates how professional commercial parasols can transform underused terraces into valuable customer spaces.
By combining shelter, heating, and branding, Indigo Shading helped create an outdoor environment that supports year round trading and enhances customer experience.
For businesses looking to improve their outdoor seating areas, professional specification and experienced installation remain essential to long term success.
To discuss your own hospitality shading requirements, contact Indigo Shading to arrange a consultation and site assessment.