Testimonial - Food Hall & Retail - Hackney Bridge

Large food halls and entertainment venues present complex heating challenges. Open layouts, high ceilings, constant footfall and frequently open entrances make traditional gas or warm-air systems inefficient, expensive and uncomfortable for guests.

This case study looks at how Infrared Heating Supplies delivered a tailored heating solution for two of London’s most vibrant hospitality destinations: Hackney Bridge and Peckham Levels.

The objective was clear. Create warm, comfortable seating and dining areas without compromising the industrial design of the spaces or driving up energy costs.

Project Overview

Hackney Bridge and Peckham Levels are large, multi-use hospitality and retail spaces combining street food vendors, bars, cafés, independent retailers and creative studios. Both venues feature expansive concrete structures with open mezzanines and mixed-use zones.

The existing heating approach struggled to deliver consistent warmth where customers actually sat and gathered. Traditional systems wasted energy attempting to heat the entire air volume of the building, while still leaving seating areas cold during busy trading periods.

Infrared Heating Supplies designed a system using high-output infrared linear bar heaters, positioned strategically above seating, dining and circulation zones. In total, 12 × 3kW infrared bar heaters were specified, delivering 36kW of focused radiant heat exactly where it was needed.

The Infrared Heating Solution

Unlike convection systems, infrared heaters warm people and surfaces directly. This makes them particularly effective in large, open hospitality venues where air movement and heat loss are unavoidable.

At Hackney Bridge and Peckham Levels, the heaters delivered immediate, comfortable warmth to guests, even during colder months and peak trading hours. The slimline design allowed the heaters to integrate seamlessly into the industrial aesthetic of the buildings without visual clutter.

For venue operators, the benefits extended beyond comfort. The system reduced wasted energy, lowered ongoing heating costs and required minimal maintenance compared to traditional alternatives.

Key Outcomes

• Improved guest comfort across seating and dining areas
• Lower energy consumption compared to traditional heating systems
• Discreet, slimline heaters preserving interior aesthetics
• Fast warm-up times with targeted heat delivery
• A scalable solution suitable for large hospitality venues

This project demonstrates how infrared heating can provide an efficient, design-friendly and commercially viable heating solution for food halls, entertainment venues and large retail environments.