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Elvis (Gordon Hendricks) and Prestwick Airport CEO Mark Rodwell unveil a plaque commemorating Elvis’s original visit in 1960 |
UK. The King of Rock n’ Roll, Elvis Presley, returned to Glasgow Prestwick Airport last week – 47 years after the first and only time he set foot in the UK.
Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change Stewart Stevenson spoke to assembled guests and media as the airport celebrated two years of work on new retail units and infrastructure improvements.
Stevenson unveiled a plaque in the terminal building which celebrates Elvis’s last visit on 3 March 1960, a brief refuelling stop as he flew home from Germany after finishing national service with the US Army.
Elvis, played by Gordon Hendricks, arrived onboard a private jet and was welcomed by fans, airport staff and members of the media.
Glasgow Prestwick owner Infratil Airports Europe has introduced a number of new retail brands including Starbucks, Yates’s bar and restaurant, and Scottish retailer Peckham’s.
Glasgow Prestwick Airport CEO Mark Rodwell, commenting on the infrastructure improvements, said: “We’re delighted that Elvis and the Minister are here to help us mark all the changes that have taken place over the last two years or so. After the terminal building was refurbished and rebranded in 2005, our next task was to improve the retails units here at Glasgow Prestwick. Infratil wants to offer our customers the best choice possible by bringing in recognisable, good quality local and international brands in order to cater for different tastes.”
A new, contemporary Elvis tribute bar situated in the Departure lounge has been designed exclusively for the airport and is part of a major upgrade of the F&B outlets by Select Service Partners. The lounge also boasts a new Tax and Duty Free store operated by The Nuance Group.
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