Making Every Inch of Hospitality Space Work Harder
In today’s hospitality landscape, flexibility isn’t just a bonus – it’s a necessity. From pubs and restaurants to boutique hotels and country inns, businesses are recognising the value of adaptable spaces that serve multiple purposes. Whether it’s a dining area that can transform into a private event space or a courtyard that becomes a snug, revenue-driving bar in winter, and then opens up into a light, social garden space in summer, thoughtful design plays a key role in making a venue work harder, for longer, and for more people.
At CIC, we’ve seen how even subtle design choices can change the way a space performs. The right layout isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s about flow, function, and long-term potential. A flexible space caters to different audiences throughout the day and across the seasons, and it can open up new revenue streams in the process.
Take Paris House in Woburn, where we worked with the team to reimagine the restaurant’s layout. Fretwork screens were introduced to create a more intimate dining area without closing the space off entirely – a simple addition that instantly offered the flexibility to cater to private groups while maintaining the openness of the main restaurant. These types of features not only help in zoning spaces effectively but can also be tailored to reflect the brand and ambience of the venue.
This principle of maximising every inch of space also came into play at The White Hart, where we helped the owners convert a disused stable block into a function room. Rather than retrofitting function space into the upper floors – a more restrictive option – we transformed the adjoining stable block into ‘The Stables’, a now-popular events and meeting space. The result is an additional stream of revenue that doesn’t compromise the existing restaurant operation and instead broadens the appeal of the venue for weddings, business gatherings, and community events.
And it’s not just restaurants and pubs that benefit from this approach. At Bedfordshire Golf Club, we helped carve out a dedicated Swing Room, a cutting-edge golfing simulator space that allows members to practice all year round. By repurposing part of the existing structure, the club gained a new revenue-generating feature that enhances the member experience without requiring a full extension or disruption to core services. This kind of smart spatial thinking shows how flexibility can work in even the most traditional settings.
Creating flexible zones within a space doesn’t mean sacrificing cohesion. In fact, a well-planned open floor layout can still include defined areas for casual dining, private hire, or small business use. Pocket glass doors, for example, allow areas to be closed off without losing the light or openness of the space. Soft furnishings and varied seating, from low sofas to high-top tables, can help break up larger rooms into more intimate or functional sections without the need for hard partitions.
In many venues, outdoor areas are often overlooked. But with a bit of imagination, underused courtyards or side terraces can be transformed into profitable, year-round spaces. A few well-placed heaters, some subtle lighting, and a pop-up bar can turn a quiet corner into a vibrant, flexible snug – ideal for everything from gin tastings to private parties.
Throughout our projects, CIC works closely with clients to consider the full potential of their space. We look at how different parts of a venue can adapt to different audiences – from families to business guests – and how design choices today can support a venue’s ambitions for tomorrow. It’s not about squeezing more in but about using every inch smartly and creating a natural, welcoming flow that serves a variety of needs without overwhelming the user.
Hospitality spaces that embrace flexibility aren’t just more efficient, they’re more resilient. They respond better to market changes, offer more to their communities, and generate more opportunities to grow. At CIC, helping our clients unlock that potential is at the heart of what we do – through collaboration, creativity, and a genuine understanding of how good design shapes great experiences.
