UK. Airport operator BAA is celebrating the signing of leading coffee and snack brands for the new London Heathrow Terminal 5, which opens in March 2008.
Starbucks, Apostrophe, Caffe Nero, Eat, Krispy Kreme join the previously announced top names Gordon Ramsay and Caviar House & Prunier in the British Airways terminal.
Freya King, BAA’s Acting Head of Category for Food and Beverage, explained: “Our strategy for an engaging food experience at Terminal 5 is about delivering something special. These much-loved coffee and snack brands will be joining the likes of Gordon Ramsay and Caviar House & Prunier and give a great indication of the sheer variety we’re packing into the terminal.
“It is important for us to offer something for everyone – whoever you are, whatever your appetite, and whoever you are travelling with. This means we need fresh on-the-go options, a really good cup of coffee, a top-of-the-range restaurant experience and everything else in between. The common link is our mission to deliver the best quality at the right price, regardless of whether you have 30 minutes or two hours to spare before your flight.”
Apostrophe will make its airport debut with its original French-themed boulangerie-patisserie sandwich boutique concept.
“Apostrophe typifies the freshness and high quality that BAA is determined to deliver in Terminal 5 to tempt the many travellers who want to eat and eat well at the airport,” King said.
“With its commitment to baking everything fresh on site, avoiding pre-packaged goods and ensuring that exceptional service is to the fore, Apostrophe is a really exciting signing.”
The core offer of freshly baked sweet and savoury pastries with a traditional French theme will be supported by yoghurts, salads and soups. A delicious range of freshly-squeezed juices and complementary flavoured water will be offered alongside Apostrophe’s range of coffees and teas.
The fit-out has a white, black and pink signature colour scheme with warm Jerusalem gold floors and bespoke solid walnut wood.
“It is important for us to offer something for everyone – whoever you are, whatever your appetite, and whoever you are travelling with“ |
Freya King, BAA’s Acting Head of Category for Food and Beverage |
International coffee retailer Starbucks has added the personal touch to each customer’s experience, as the baristas will be writing your name on your cup. A new table service will be available for hot food.
Starbucks in T5 will also be at the forefront of trials and launches of new products.
Caffe Nero aims to serve up fantastic London views and scenes in its store decoration, to emphasise the part the new terminal will play in London’s landscape.
The diverse menu is targeted at the most discerning customer, King said, providing vegetarian, lactose and gluten-free options.
In addition, if passengers have time before their flight, staff will bring them a second drink.
The Eat brand promises to deliver “real food at honest prices” developing a “varied and eclectic” range of food to refresh passengers.
The menu will offer oven baked bread, jugs of freshly squeezed juice, homemade soup, British pies and a host of vegetarian, wheat-free and gluten-free fare – all served straight to your table in another brand first for an airport.
Customised Terminal 5 doughnuts will be on offer at Krispy Kreme. The menu will constantly evolve to introduce new limited-edition varieties throughout the year, to mark events such as the Wimbledon tennis championship and Christmas time. A take-away service will also be available.
About Heathrow Terminal 5
BAA’s London Heathrow Terminal 5 is due to open in March 2008. The £4.3 billion development, one of Europe’s largest construction projects, will cater for around 30 million passengers annually.
T5 will boast 144 different stores and restaurants, covering 20,066sq m of retail space focused onto two floors, predominantly airside. The development will increase the size of Heathrow’s retail portfolio by 50%. About 420 media sites will also be built into the fabric of the building.
The traveller demographic is anticipated to be 92% ABC1 in profile, and the terminal will be used exclusively by British Airways – domestic, European and international destinations.
T5 will host 60 aircraft stands, a 4,000-space multi-storey car park, and a new 600-bed hotel.
MORE STORIES ON LONDON HEATHROW TERMINAL 5
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BAA picks Mulberry as first T5 fashion house – 30/10/06
BAA picks WH Smith for Heathrow T5 news stores; T5 to be landmark development – 12/10/06
