Food and beverage outlet operator SSP is on schedule to complete multi-million pound transformation of its outlets at Liverpool Airport by summer 2025. Tony McDonough reports
A multi-million pound transformation of the food and drink offering at Liverpool John Lennon Airport (LJLA) is on schedule for completion in time for the summer 2025 season.
In January LBN revealed that food and beverage operator SSP had secured a 10-year deal with LJLA to continue operating multiple outlets at the airport. This would take it to 2036 and it revealed plans to expand F&B capacity in the departure lounge by 50%.
LJLA has seen a big increase in passengers in 2024, thanks to the arrival of Jet2 and further expansion by easyJet and Ryanair. It is on track to exceed 5m passengers this year and this is leading to increased demand for food and drink.
Work is under way in the departure lounge, to build a range of new, expanded and refurbished passenger facilities over the coming months.
These will include Monty’s, an all-day diner with seating for almost 200 passengers, a new expanded premium lounge that will be twice the size of the existing facility and an extension and upgraded design to the existing Kissing Gate pub and kitchen.
A third coffee shop will be introduced and the existing Starbucks and Upper Crust units will be updated, with new brands joining the retail mix.
Monty’s will offer a range of breakfast dishes including cooked breakfasts, bagels and loaded waffles. For lunch and dinner, the menu will include signature smashed patty burgers, mac ‘n’ cheese and hot dogs as well as milkshakes and desserts.
Kari Daniels, chief executive of SSP UK & Ireland, which has been at Liverpool Airport for 20 years, said: “As the travel food experts, we always strive to offer bespoke concepts for our customers alongside some of our more established names.
“This was the catalyst for Monty’s Diner – it’s a completely new concept for us but one that we’re confident will bring a fresh, modern experience to LJLA, complementing our existing outlets to offer exceptional choice.”
These latest food and beverage improvements are the next phase of works that started last winter following the signing of a new long-term deal with SSP.
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John Irving, chief executive of LJLA, added: “We’re really excited about this next phase of works by SSP which will enable us to continue to give our passengers the excellent airport experience that we are renowned for.
“While we appreciate there will be disruption over the winter period with reduced choice, this is about planning for next summer and beyond with units like Monty’s improving the offer for the longer term.”