Manchester Airport has revealed more details about the 27 eateries and retail units set to be on offer at the Terminal 2 as part of its £1.3bn transformation programme.
Back in January, the airport announced a £440m project to complete the new T2 building - marking the final phase of the £1.3bn transformation programme, which was first unveiled in 2015. Artist impressions were released showing how the fully-completed Terminal 2 would look ahead of its planned opening in 2025, with images showing a huge departure lounge and an array of shops, bars and restaurants.
Now, airport bosses have revealed more details on the food and drink offer and the shopping zone, which will be known as 'The Avenue'. The extended departure lounge will feature a food market serving a variety of world cuisines and quick eats, alongside a boutique high street-style shopping area complete with a Champagne bar and premium brands, artisan cafes and a brasserie.
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The shopping zone, to be known as The Avenue, will have a 'vibrant' feel and each store front will open onto airfield views, with plenty of passenger seating. Bosses have also said that they are looking for retailers selling toys, fashion, accessories and travel essentials to take up units in this area, and are seeking out partners who will showcase the 'best of the North' in their units - with a view to announcing the successful applicants by next spring next year.
Richard Jackson, retail director at Manchester Airport, said: “We are well aware that our guests’ holidays start at the airport and we want them to enjoy their time here - whether that means sipping craft beer brewed at the airport in a bar overlooking the airfield, or eating an artisan pizza. We already have a great range of food and drink options in Terminal Two, with local brands which create a strong sense of place, but we're looking to build on that with all-new offerings, including a Champagne Bar and a market hall style food court.
“We’re also seeking retail partners who will bring a high-class offering, tailored to the needs of the travelling public. The first phase of the project saw some exciting brands come on board, but we’re now keen to build on that and provide a more varied and comprehensive retail experience to cater for the tastes of the millions of passengers who will pass through the terminal’s doors.”
The expanded retail and restaurant offering forms part of the transformation programme’s second phase, which will see the original Terminal Two building remodelled and upgraded, in line with the recently-opened terminal extension. Work is expected to be completed by 2025.
A blend of regional and national brands are expected to operate within the new units, in keeping with the areas of the terminal that are already open to passengers. The first phase of the project saw a number of Mancunian names take up units with Terminal 2 including popular burger chain Archie’s, premium Italian restaurant San Carlo and coffee brand Pot Kettle Black. The new terminal is also home to Manchester brewers Joseph Holt and Seven Bro7hers.
Mark Flanagan, owner of Pot Kettle Black, said: “Opening an outlet in Manchester Airport together with our partners HMSHost UK has been an incredible experience. We started in Manchester nine years ago in just a small premises in Barton Arcade. Now through the branch in the airport we’re reaching customers who come from all over the world and we’re even seeing international customers visiting our city centre branches because they’ve been to the one in the airport. Back in 2014 we never thought we’d be an international brand but the airport branch is helping us do that.”
It comes as Manchester Airport was recently named the UK’s ‘best airport for food’. Data crunched by luggage storage firm Radical Storage found that the North West’s aviation hub excels when it comes to top quality food and drink. It beat off competition from London Stansted, which came in second place, Luton Airport in third and Heathrow in fourth, with Edinburgh coming in fifth.
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