Manchester Airport unveils open tender results

In a first for FAB, Manchester Airport Head of Retail Mike Ward announced live on stage the results of the UK airport’s recent food & beverage tender, with HMSHost, TRG Concessions and SSP sharing most of the spoils. Together they will operate an eclectic line-up of local and national brands. Ward also outlined the tender process and the reasoning for the airport’s final decisions.

As reported, HMSHost will operate five concessions, TRG Concessions will operate six, and SSP three. A strong offer of local favourites will be complemented by a range of international brands.

Breaking news: Manchester Airport Head of Retail Mike Ward reveals the results of a major F&B tender

Revealing the results in detail, Ward stressed the importance of creating a “richer and deeper” Sense of Place. Some airport offerings in this area can be “a bit fake or don’t quite ring true, especially if pricing is a bit steep”.


“It is in the local markets rather than the airport that people live their lives. We wanted to reflect the foodie scene of the Northwest of England.”

The airport therefore engaged directly with local brands in the first place, before discussing franchise agreements with airport F&B operators.

Sense of fake: Some local concepts “don't quite ring true”, says Ward

“It is in the local markets rather than the airport that people live their lives. We wanted to reflect the foodie scene of the Northwest of England.” – Mike Ward

He also noted the importance of provenance. “We scored the tender partly on the basis of proximity of ingredients, and whether they are locally sourced.

“Additionally, the number one request we get is for healthy options, so we wanted to provide a diversity of choice.”

Fitting out of the concessions will begin soon, Ward said, with openings beginning in April 2020.

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July 2019

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