HMSHost set to open The Artisan bar & restaurant amid upgrade at Belfast City Airport

UK. HMSHost UK will soon open The Artisan, a 280sq m bar & restaurant at George Best Belfast City Airport. It is part of the airport’s £15 million investment aimed at enhancing the customer experience. The project is due for completion by the end of October, and will showcase a range of produce from Northern Irish suppliers.

HMSHost UK appointed Twelve-Studio, Sideland Group, Elite Shopfitters and ACS for the fit-out of the unit, which will seat over 100 people.

HMSHost International Business Development Director Charlotte Christiansen said: “With timber counters, corrugated panels and a feature light wall complemented by touches of brass and glass, The Artisan will feel contemporary yet homely and comfortable for passengers to relax while they wait to board their flight.

The Artisan: The new bar & restaurant will extend F&B space at Belfast City Airport by +25%, amid a £15 million expansion.

“The menu will really showcase the best of local produce and through breakfasts, light bites and more substantial main dishes The Artisan will cater to the needs of the 2.6 million passengers who use Belfast City Airport each year.

“HMSHost UK Ltd. is committed to providing an enjoyable culinary experience to passengers at all our outlets at Belfast City Airport, including St. George’s Market and Starbucks.”

The Artisan follows the opening of new, upgraded World Duty Free and WHSmith retail units in the departure lounge in 552sq m of retail space. This is an overall increase of just over +30%, in addition to an increased product range.

Customer seating in the departure lounge has more than doubled, as have airside customer washroom facilities, which are now refurbished.

In addition, the central security area has undergone an upgrade, and can now process up to six passengers at a time. This, coupled with electronic boarding pass gates and new scanning equipment, has resulted in a reduction in the time it takes each passenger to move through security.

Sense of Place: The new unit will showcase produce from Northern Irish suppliers.

Belfast City Airport Commercial Manager Joanne Deighan said: “The Artisan will represent a +25% increase in our food & beverage facilities with our partner HMSHost UK Ltd. providing a broader choice for our customers.

“We’re really happy with the designs and the progress of the works on site as our opening date approaches. The Artisan will be a different food & beverage offering to any outlets we have had previously, so it is a really exciting time and we are looking forward to opening the doors to our passengers.

“The Artisan has been a big part of the £15 million investment in airport facilities announced earlier this year. The reconfiguration of the departure lounge and the central security area are significant projects. While we have worked extremely hard to make sure our passengers have not been inconvenienced throughout these works, we must thank them for their patience.”

The car park offering at the airport has also been upgraded to include a Premier Car Park option. This includes Fast Track Security access for passengers and further investment in a new car park booking platform.

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