UK. Manchester Airport has welcomed its first JD Wetherspoon pub, The Belle Vue, as the £1.5 billion (US$2 billion) transformation of Terminal 2 reaches its final stages.
The 300-seat venue opened yesterday (15 September) and is the final planned new food & beverage outlet in the redeveloped terminal.
The Belle Vue takes its name from Manchester’s historic Belle Vue showground, with the design drawing on the city’s sporting heritage.
Vintage event posters and memorabilia feature throughout the pub, alongside a ‘locker wall’ displaying trophies and other sporting exhibits.
Cricket references have also been incorporated into the carpets and bar panels.
Manchester Airport Retail Director Richard Jackson said, “It’s a proud moment to see the final new retail unit opening in our new-look Terminal 2, a world-class facility with an unrivalled range of options for passengers to eat, drink and shop.
“To be rounding off this ten-year programme by adding such an iconic name as Wetherspoon to the terminal is particularly special and we know that it will prove extremely popular with passengers.
“We think they’ll love the nods to Manchester’s heritage in the décor and design – and of course the name.”
The Belle Vue Pub Manager Jenny Warburton said, “Myself and my team are looking forward to welcoming customers into The Belle Vue and we are confident that the pub will be a great addition to the airport hospitality venues.”
The Belle Vue will operate from the first flight to the last each day, with food served until 10pm, and is expected to create around 150 jobs.
The Manchester Airport T2 transformation has also earned the facility international recognition through a UNESCO-backed architecture and design award.
Read our recent review of the retail and food & beverage offer in T2 here. 
