A major redevelopment project to improve the departure lounge at Bristol Airport is due to get under way on Monday (January 24).
The three-month scheme will cost £2.6m and will create dozens of new jobs, according to the transport hub, which said the programme of works was expected to be complete in time for Easter.
The plans include the opening of new food outlets at the airport and improvements to shopping in the departure lounge.
Under the proposals, WHSmith will expand its current unit to incorporate its technology brand InMotion, which it acquired in 2018. The opening of the store at Bristol Airport will include a wide range of mobile accessories and electronics including noise-cancelling and wireless headphones, speakers, tablets, digital action cameras, fitness trackers and portable power.
SSP UK & Ireland, which runs food and drink outlets in travel locations, will also be opening a range of food units, including Mexican restaurant Tortilla; an airside bar with a "new exciting and vibrant brand" that will reflect the heritage of the region; and upgrading its Cabin bar and Ritazza coffee shop.
Meanwhile, retailer JD Sports will be upgrading and relocating its premises to a much larger unit in the departure lounge, and global Foreign Exchange operator, Global Exchange Group, will launch operations at the airport.
Tom Hack, head of commercial at Bristol Airport, said: “This is an exciting project and opportunity for Bristol Airport and its customer facilities."
Mr Hack said the investment showed a "very clear sign" of the confidence the airport had in its commercial partners.
“Our customers’ holidays start in our departure lounge, and it is very important for us to provide them with the best possible experience," he added.
"We understand that our leisure and business customers have high expectations when travelling through Bristol Airport and we will continue to strive to meet their requirements. We are very confident that the investment and redevelopment in our departure lounge will provide a greater passenger experience as we offer new places to shop, eat, drink and relax before you fly.”
The announcement comes just three months after an inquiry into an expansion of the airport drew to a close.
The transport hope wants to boost passenger numbers to 12 million a year, extend the seasonal silver zone car park with more than 2,700 spaces for year-round use and build a multi-storey car park.
But campaigners who oppose the plans claim with the impact of Covid-19 and changing attitudes to flying it may not hit the current cap of 10 million yearly passengers until 2030 so the “more distant and less certain” benefits are “even harder to justify”.
Bristol Airport Ltd (BAL) lodged its appeal after North Somerset councillors refused planning permission in 2020, prompting the inquiry that opened in July.
In February 2021, the CBI announced its support for the airport's plans. It said the proposals would help meet the region’s growing demand for air travel, create new international opportunities for South West businesses and be a “significant step” towards the government’s ‘levelling up’ agenda.
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