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UK. Phase two of Stansted Airport’s £80 million investment to transform the terminal building – which features new retail and food & beverage facilities – was officially opened today by Manchester Airports Group Chief Executive Charlie Cornish. [Note: The Moodie Report Executive Director Editorial Rebecca Mann is at Stansted today and will bring you a full report soon.]
The project follows the previous first-phase retail upgrade last year, including a new flagship World Duty Free store.
The F&B opportunities attracted significant interest from the industry with over 70 tenders received for the 12 units available, including some airport firsts and new concepts. The new offer includes:
• Brand new Windmill Pub – a £2.7 million investment for JD Wetherspoon with a windmill centrepiece that rises through the bar to a new mezzanine level overlooking the airfield.
• First ever James Martin Kitchen – a premium bakery offering fresh farm ingredients and baked goods.
• Cabin – with fine wines and a menu of contemporary British delicacies.
• Coast to Coast – an American dining experience and a first at any UK airport.
• Halo – a Champagne concept developed especially for Stansted.
• giraffe – the family restaurant offers a global menu of freshly prepared dishes.
• Starbucks – the global coffee brand featuring the launch of the first ever Starbucks Evenings in the UK.
• Leon -fast food offers healthy options.
• itsu – featuring a low fat, low calorie menu.
• Burger King – first UK airport to feature Coca Cola freestyle (over 125 custom Coca-Cola drinks)
• Pret A Manger – now with double the seating and a new spring menu due soon.
• First airport Harris+Hoole – the high street coffee chain chose Stansted as the location for its first ever airport shop.
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The new F&B offer feature a number of firsts for Stansted or UK airports |
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MAG Chief Executive Charlie Cornish said: “The transformation of Stansted is one of the biggest developments in terms of scale that’s taken place at one of our airports under my leadership at MAG and I’m delighted to officially mark the opening of all our brand new cafes, bars and restaurants which I’m sure will really wow passengers and with many airport firsts and new industry concepts it is a really exciting line up.
“When MAG acquired Stansted we set a clear vision to transform the terminal and improve its facilities. Having returned the airport to growth and once again made it the fastest major growing airport in the UK with nearly 21 million passengers using the airport each year, and passenger numbers up +25% in March alone, the timing for this £80 million investment in the terminal building couldn’t be timed better.”
MAG Retail Director Beth Brewster added: “When we set about announcing details of this major transformation to the retail industry we knew we were about to work on something of major significance but not even I anticipated the buzz of excitement it would create amongst the industry.
“Over 70 tenders were received for the 12 café, bar and restaurant units available as part of phase two of this multi-million pound development. Narrowing down the strong competition to deliver a menu that provided a wide variety of choice based on taste, appetite and budget for our passengers is one of the best headaches I’ve ever dealt with, and a scenario that clearly demonstrates the exciting step change taking place at Stansted with so many leading brands wanting to secure their involvement.
“With many airport firsts, brand new concepts and the first celebrity chef appearance for Stansted this really has been an exciting development. It’s one I’m very proud to be part of and we look forward to announcing our partners for phase three of this multi-million pound development in the not too distant future.”
All the new units and general seating are strategically located in one dedicated area near exit points to the gates, noted the airport, “meaning passengers can not only make choices quickly depending upon their budget and taste”.
