Birmingham: Airport Retail and Food & Drink Outlets Thread

[Kevin Farnell]

My thoughts were directed to perhaps a simple question which I admit was not clearly asked, which is....What is the purpose of an airport and why do we go to them?

That is a question that can be looked upon from two vantage points.
Firstly, that of the travelling public. They obviously need to pass through an airport, in order to reach a destination. In doing so, they will often require food and drink and may also like to purchase goods/duty free during their transit.
In choosing their departure airport, they may well have looked for the cheapest flights.
Secondly, that of the airport company and its shareholders. They are aware of the need of the general public to travel (hence attracting airlines to operate services), but are in competition with other local airports to provide that service.
The airport company also has a duty to its shareholders, to give them the best return on their investment. This demands that the airport company attempts to get the passengers (and also 'meeters and greeters') to spend as much as possible in their time at the airport. Simply, it's business!

My own discipline, is Science. Chemistry (MSc, CChem, MRSC), to be exact. This requires a surprising amount of understanding of other disciplines. However, when posting here I choose not to revert to writing as if composing a scientific publication. Rather I choose a more conventional approach, understandable (hopefully ?) to all, whatever their background.

Regards

Kevin

 

[Seasider]

I never get lost going through duty free, head down, aim for the view of the apron.

 

[Ray Finkle]

I see that the new World Duty Free Store was 'officially' opened today.

The link below give an overview of what is to be expected, looking forwards to seeing it next week 👍

http://www.moodiedavittreport.com/i...ned-birmingham-airport-world-duty-free-store/

 

[Jon Dempsey]

They have been very clever with the better use of space.

 

[Ray Finkle]

More retail space to come for the departure lounge. Below is from a job advert.

In order to prepare for even more growth next year we are currently planning the development of three new car parks and also for future delivery of additional Retail space in the main departure lounge

 

[Coathanger16]

More retail space to come for the departure lounge. Below is from a job advert.

In order to prepare for even more growth next year we are currently planning the development of three new car parks and also for future delivery of additional Retail space in the main departure lounge

Let's just hope that's not at the expense of anything else. The departure lounge is crowded enough at peak times as it is!

 

[Ray Finkle]

Definitely.

There has been talk in the past of the whole of the upstairs becoming airside with just the escalators and a corridor to security left. I've not seen anything suggested officially though so it may well be wide of the mark.

 

[58terminus]

There has been talk in the past of the whole of the upstairs becoming airside with just the escalators and a corridor to security left. I've not seen anything suggested officially though so it may well be wide of the mark.

Hadn't thought about that but it certainly makes sense when you compare the area that was accessible to non
travellers not long ago with now.

 

[Coathanger16]

Definitely.

There has been talk in the past of the whole of the upstairs becoming airside with just the escalators and a corridor to security left. I've not seen anything suggested officially though so it may well be wide of the mark.

That would certainly make sense and would make the departure lounge much bigger. I can't imagine that upstairs food court/retail area land side has much of a footfall, nor that it would be missed by passengers.

Does anybody know how much space their is between the ceiling of the departure lounge and the roof of the terminal? It would make the departure lounge much nicer plus feel more open if they could somehow add a skylight or something similar to whats been done at the redeveloped New Street Station. I don't know if that would be feasible or cost effective to add, but it would surely make an improvement to the current windowless departure area. Seeming as you are literally about to travel into the sky, it amazes me how many airports have windowless departure lounges and why they even designed departure lounges with no windows in the first place - is that what happened or have windows effectively been blocked off as more and more retail is introduced?

 

[58terminus]

it amazes me how many airports have windowless departure lounges and why they even designed departure lounges with no windows in the first place - is that what happened or have windows effectively been blocked off as more and more retail is introduced?

Think Las Vegas casinos.Nothing should be allowed to distract the punters, although having no time pieces on display might be stretching it a bit to far.

 

[JF57]

Definitely.

There has been talk in the past of the whole of the upstairs becoming airside with just the escalators and a corridor to security left. I've not seen anything suggested officially though so it may well be wide of the mark.

Certainly the space at main terminal end before security is vast. We rarely eat or spend time there preferring to get through security in case of delays. Making that air side would really improve the space available.

 

[Daza]

From what I am told it is check-capacity is desperately needed, I can't see where else more desks can be squeezed in! I don't think self check-in desks are the answer.
Daza

 

[Coathanger16]

Think Las Vegas casinos.Nothing should be allowed to distract the punters, although having no time pieces on display might be stretching it a bit to far.

Yeah I guess. Although I think that was more the design strategy then. You just need to look at Heathrow T2/T5 to see how outdated that is now.

QUOTE="Daza, post: 96180, member: 8219"]From what I am told it is check-capacity is desperately needed, I can't see where else more desks can be squeezed in! I don't think self check-in desks are the answer.
Daza[/QUOTE]

It certainly makes you wonder with new infrastructure at least 5 years away how BHX is hoping to handle any increase in passenger numbers. Or should I say, handle any increase whilst maintaining a satisfactory level of service.

 

[Ray Finkle]

That would certainly make sense and would make the departure lounge much bigger. I can't imagine that upstairs food court/retail area land side has much of a footfall, nor that it would be missed by passengers.

Whenever I've been there I've never seen the restaurant in the middle (Cafe Ritazza I think it is now) with more than a handful of people. Boots has already moved leaving the upstairs unit empty. I guess Frankie & Bennies could remain pretty much as it is and just become part of the departure lounge, All Bar One on the mezzanine level could probably also stay. It just seems very underutilised space at the moment.

From what I am told it is check-capacity is desperately needed, I can't see where else more desks can be squeezed in! I don't think self check-in desks are the answer.
Daza

I'd still like them to extend the check in area towards the railway line into the car park. I wonder if the bottom level could be reconfigured as terminal space leaving the car park in tact above?

 

[Ray Finkle]

Again, from the Consultative Committee report.

In the terminal, the focus has been on using the quieter winter period to upgrade facilities ahead of the peak season. Work has now started on upgrading the Costa unit in arrivals. This is a phased programme due to be complete by 24th February. A new Costa unit is under discussion for South departures to increase the range of Food & Beverage available here. The upgrade to Pret a Manger is underway, providing new seating and furniture and reconfiguring the layout. An upgrade to No1 Traveller Lounge is scheduled for completion shortly, featuring an extended kitchen, enlarged entrance area, a new library and a new sports lounge area where passengers will be able to watch televised sport.

 

[Brummiegem]

Back in work last night after a 3week break.
I was greeted by hoarding surrounding both the Hugo Boss store and the Meridan bar.
Hugo Boss has been closed and is to be replaced by a Kurt Geiger store.
The Meridan bar is getting a refurbishment and as I understand it a small expansion.
May be some more developments to come,although these are rumours so i’ll say nothing until I know more.

 

[Brummiegem]

Accessorize becomes the latest airside store to get a refurb.
It is due to reopen on December 3rd.

 

[Ray Finkle]

All from the latest Consultative Committee Meeting.

The Meriden Bar is set to undergo a full refurbishment, including a new design, menu, kitchen and branding which will see it emerge as ‘The Factory.’

Blanc et Noir is also set for a transformation, into the ‘Bottega’ Prosecco Bar & Caffe. Designs are still concept but development is due for January 2018. I

In February 2018 M&S will refurbish their landside store and introduce a new Bakery offer

 

[Hassaan]

I still long for a viewing area for non-passengers, but I don't know if there's even any space for it.

 

[Ray Finkle]

There has barely been enough space for the travellers this summer.