Another piece of the £1.3 billion Manchester Airport Terminal 2 makeover has landed, and this time it’s retail therapy at 35,000 feet… well, almost.
Six shiny new shops and eateries have opened in the revamped T2 departure lounge, and they’re not messing around. We’re talking LEGO, Pandora, and Rituals – each making their airport debut – plus the usual suspects for pre-boarding caffeine and carbs: Starbucks, Upper Crust, and Joe & The Juice.
And this is just the beginning.
In This Post
What’s New in T2?
- LEGO – Build your own pre-flight distraction (or bribe a small human)
- Rituals – For all your “I-just-got-through-security-and-deserve-a-luxurious-hand-cream” needs
- Pandora – Because nothing says “holiday mode” like buying jewellery before take-off
- Starbucks, Upper Crust, Joe & The Juice – Coffee, sandwiches, and juice for those who skipped breakfast
This retail rollout is part of Manchester Airport Terminal 2 decade-long transformation programme – a £1.3 billion plan to turn T2 into the crown jewel of the North. The journey began back in 2015, with key milestones including:
- A shiny new terminal extension in 2021
- A modernised security hall (finally!), which opened in May
- And now, this wave of new shops brings style and snacks in equal measure
Coming Soon to a Gate Near You:
Things are far from finished. Still to come:
- A CHANEL store – tres fancy
- A Fever Tree cocktail & Champagne bar – cheers to that
- Grindsmith by WHSmith – a local brew twist on your WHS pit stop
- A new food court with proper street food vibes
And for the design nerds among us? The link between the security area and departures will soon feature a chandelier installation paying homage to the Venetian sparkle of Terminal 1 back in the ‘80s and ‘90s. Retro glamour meets modern airport hustle.
Oh, and by the time the dust settles, T2 will boast 13 new boarding gates. More gates, less gate rage.
Airport Bosses Weigh In
Chris Woodroofe, Managing Director of Manchester Airport:
“These new facilities let people fly in proper style – and they show off the best of the North. From honeycomb design nods to Northern brands, we’re making this terminal something we can all be proud of.”
Richard Jackson, Retail Director:
“The brands we’ve brought in are iconic and top-quality. It’s all about creating an experience that feels premium and distinctly Northern. And we’re just getting started.”
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