Ice Café Gelatissimo, Cologne
"Our guests can enjoy ice cream and waffles without having to worry about coronavirus and flu infections."Alessandro Zanchetta, owner
Gelatissimo Introduction
With more than 110 outlets and a comprehensive gastronomical range available, the Köln-Arcaden shopping centre’s three floors draw in guests looking to shop and relax. When the Köln-Arcaden shopping centre opened in Cologne-Kalk in 2005, it was the first of its kind on the right bank of the Rhine, and the ‘Gelatissimo’ ice cream parlour was amongst the first businesses to set up shop, beautifully located on the third floor, immediately opposite a large staircase.
Alessandro Zanchetta, together with three partners, all from the town of Treviso in Venice and long-time German residents, seized the opportunity to set up a traditional Italian ice cream parlour in Köln-Arcaden, the Gelatissimo. ‘The concept behind the arcades was entirely new back then,’ explains Alessandro Zanchetta. They decided to take the risk, and it has paid off. In 2016, the owners completely renovated the Gelatissimo to give guests an even more enjoyable experience.
"Starting in March, we could sell ice cream to take away, but because of the mask requirement in the arcades, no consumption was allowed"
The Gelatissimo was closed for eight weeks during the first coronavirus lockdown. Then in December 2020, there was a second. ‘Starting in March, we could sell ice cream to take away, but because of the mask requirement in the arcades, no consumption was allowed and the idea didn’t seem very attractive,’ explains Alessandro Zanchetta. The Gelatissimo has been open again since June 2021.
‘We had to start looking for air cleaners’
According to Alessandro Zanchetta, the 3G rule was not always clear to visitors, but the conditions that had to be satisfied under coronavirus rules were an even greater challenge. ‘We have two large panoramic windows with fantastic views, but we’re not able to open them!’ Ventilation? No chance. The arcades’ ventilation systems bring in fresh air, but they don’t filter coronavirus out of the air.
Professional advice
‘So we had to start looking into air cleaners and began our search on the internet,’ explains Alessandro Zanchetta. ‘We hadn’t found many providers when we came across Euromate. We were very quickly impressed by the expert advice that we received from Euromate.
Alessandro Zanchetta and his partners were keen to have equipment that fit with the look and size of the Gelatissimo, and that met the funding criteria. Ceiling installation would have been too expensive, so the only option was to go for standalone devices.
‘Euromate’s advisor enquired in detail about the ventilation system and its performance, calculated the air exchange rates and proposed the ideal positions for the devices based on our photographs. It was all highly professional.’
"The reactions then have always been positive and guests are grateful that we are looking out for their safety."
Alessandro Zanchetta opted for four Pure Air Shield 3300. ‘We had to remove a table to accommodate each one, and set up the devices according to Mr Göktas’ advice.’ There may have been some loss of space, but safety comes first.
The quiet hum of the air cleaners is entirely suppressed by the general noise of the shopping centre and is in no way disruptive. For Alessandro Zanchetta and his employees, it was important that the devices were certified.
‘We’ll fit the labels soon so that we can show people that we have air cleaners in operation.
Have there been any reactions from guests? ‘Many don’t ask questions,’ explains Alessandro Zanchetta. ‘Some look with interest and some want to know what they are and how they work. The reactions then have always been positive and guests are grateful that we are looking out for their safety. And that they can enjoy ice cream and waffles here without having to worry about coronavirus and flu infections.
Pure Air Shield 3300
The Pure Air Shield 3300 helps you to create a safe (working) environment. The air cleaner is suitable for large indoor rooms and filters (fine) particulate, bacteria and viruses such as corona from the air. Contaminated air is drawn in at the base of the air cleaner and blown out clean at the top. Since the air is cleaned several times every hour, rather than just once, a continuous flow of clean air is guaranteed.
- Efficiently cleans up to 99.995% of suspended particulate matter and aerosols from the air.
- SGS certified, proven effective
- Extremely quiet
- Easy to operate
- Plug and play system
- Low-energy thanks to timer function
Opt for the Pure Air Shield if you want the reassurance of truly clean air in your working environment or occupied space and put your health and well-being, and that of your employees, at the heart of what you do. The design of the Pure Air Shield works in any interior.
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