New CGI and artist impression images released by the UK’s third largest airport this week show an extended departure lounge featuring a food market that’s set to serve up a variety of world cuisines and quick eats for those who prefer a more casual dining experience.
This will be alongside a new boutique high street-style shopping area, known as ‘The Avenue’, which will have a “vibrant and airy feel”, and will come complete with a champagne bar, as well as premium brands, artisan cafes, and a brasserie.
Each store front in the new shopping zone will open onto airfield views, the Airport has explained, with plenty of passenger seating around it for “added comfort”.
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Manchester Airport reveals plans to open 27 new shops and restaurants in Terminal Two / Credit: Manchester Airport
According to the plans unveiled by Manchester Airport this week, a blend of regional and national brands are expected to operate the new units – which is designed to be in-keeping with the areas of Terminal Two that are already open to passengers.
“We are well aware that our guests’ holidays start at the airport,” admitted Richard Jackson, Retail Director at Manchester Airport.
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“We want people 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.”
Aside from the plans to open the 27 new shops and restaurants, bosses at Manchester Airport say they are also searching for retailers selling toys, fashion, accessories, and travel essentials to take up units in the new ‘The Avenue’ area.
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The Airport is seeking out partners who will “showcase the best of the North in their units”.
“We’re also seeking retail partners who will bring a high-class offering, tailored to the needs of the travelling public,” Mr Jackson continued.
“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.”
It’s part of a wider £1.3 billion transformation programme / Credit: Manchester Airport
As mentioned, the expanded retail and restaurant offering forms part of the second phase of the wider £1.3 billion transformation programme of the Airport’s original Terminal Two.
The first phase of the transformation project saw a number of Mancunian favourites taking up residence inside Terminal Two – such as burger and shake chain Archie’s, Italian restaurant San Carlo, coffee brand Pot Kettle Black, and Manchester-based brewers Joseph Holt and Seven Bro7hers.
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They were joined by household names like Costa Coffee, WHSmith, Pret a Manger, and Wagamama.
The second phase is seeing Terminal Two remodelled and upgraded in sync with the recently-opened terminal extension.
All work is expected to be completed by 2025.
Featured Image – Manchester Airport
Business
First look – Manchester-founded fashion brand Represent opens flagship store in city centre
Daisy Jackson
Represent will open the doors to its first-ever UK store this weekend – and of course, the proudly Manc business picked Manchester for its flagship location.
The luxury menswear brand, which is on track for a £100m turnover by the end of this year, is opening a beautiful 5,419sq ft store on New Cathedral Street.
Set to throw open the doors on Saturday 26 October, the stylish space has been decorated with neutral textured walls and parquet floor tiles, with the shape of a giant ‘R’ carved into the staircase.
In this exquisitely designed space, shoppers will be able to browse the range in person, with a second store to follow in London next year.
An entire floor of the new Manchester shop will be dedicated to the Represent performance wear range, 247.
Founded back in 2011 by Bolton-born brothers, George and Mike Heaton, Represent has gone from strength to strength, and has become, far and away, one of the UK’s best-loved luxury fashion labels – proving itself to be a proper local success story for the Greater Manchester region.
Inside the flagship Represent store in Manchester. Credit: SuppliedInside the flagship Represent store in Manchester. Credit: Supplied
It has collaborated with numerous big-name celebrities since its launch, including Justin Bieber, the Kardashians, and even Manchester’s very-own Liam Gallagher.
Inspired by retro Mancunian designs, Represent’s popular ranges of t-shirts, hoodies, and trainers are regularly showcased at top fashion destinations worldwide.
Represent has been stocked in major department stores like Selfridges, Harrods and END, but this will be their biggest step away from their hugely successful online business model to date.
It will join neighbours such as Louis Vuitton, Selfridges, Paul Smith, Canada Goose, and Harvey Nichols in the heart of Manchester’s shopping district.
Represent Manchester opens this weekend. Credit: SuppliedRepresent Manchester opens this weekend. Credit: Supplied
George Heaton, Creative Director and Founder of Represent: “As we continue to grow as a brand, opening our first physical UK store was a natural progression.
“Given that Represent was born in Manchester, and it’s where our global HQ is based, the city was the only choice – it is in our DNA.
“The Represent Manchester location marks an important and iconic milestone for the brand; having spent the past three years planning physical retail footprints, trialling the senses of energy, look, feel, and scent through our partners such as Selfridges and Harrods along the process.”
Popular city centre coffee house Michaels to open new Manchester Arndale cafe
Emily Sergeant
Manchester Arndale is set to welcome another new resident very soon.
Michaels Coffee House is already one of the best-loved places to get your caffeine fix and a bite to eat in the city centre, but now it’s been announced this week that it’ll become the next independent Manchester business to move into Manchester Arndale after signing a 10-year lease to occupy a space on Halle Place.
The beloved business was founded by Thanasis Michael back in 2017, and has been serving up high-quality and ethically-sourced coffee in Manchester’s Royal Exchange ever since.
As well as offering an extensive range of hot and cold coffee drinks, you can also get smoothies, milkshakes, and juices, as well as curb your hunger cravings with toasties, breakfast buns, soups, pancakes, and so much more.
Popular city centre coffee house Michaels is opening a new Manchester Arndale cafe / Credit: Michaels Coffee House (via Instagram)
You can also satisfy your sweet tooth with a collection of different pastries, cakes, and cookies.
Everything you know and love about Michaels, including all of the limited-edition seasonal specials launched each year, will be moving to the city’s biggest shopping centre very soon.
Speaking on the announcement of Michaels’ move to the Arndale, Scott Linard, who is the Portfolio Manager for M&G Real Estate – one of the joint asset management companies for Manchester Arndale – said: “It’s great to welcome another growing Manchester-based business to the centre as we continue our commitment of supporting local independent brands who are seeking to grow their presence in the city.”
Steve Gray, who is the Head of European Retail Asset Management at Global Mutual, called Michaels an “exciting independent cafe” providing shoppers with a great choice of food and drink options.
Emily Sergeant -
4th May 2023 
