The first All Bar One at Birmingham Airport opens airside today (9 April), with a larger landside site opening in the North landside area in June. They follow hot on the heels of another recent All Bar One transport hub opening at Euston Station in London, taking the group’s portfolio to almost 50 sites nationwide.
“We are delighted to be launching All Bar One within one of the country’s most vibrant and expanding airports,” said All Bar One’s retail director Susan Chappell.
“It follows on from the recent success of Euston station, representing another step forward for the brand into the travel sector.”
Espresso All Bar One
Opening today is the 160-seat All Bar One Airside, located in the terminal’s South departure lounge gates 1-20. The opening also marks a debut for Espresso All Bar One - a quick grab-and-go service located next door to the main bar; featuring hand-crafted coffees, frappés, cakes, paninis and fresh-boxed salads – ideal for customers in a rush to catch a flight.
The second, 5,200 sq.ft, 120-cover bar is due to open in the airport’s North landside area in June. Both bars will be open every day from 4am to 9pm, offering All Bar One’s signature light bites, tapas and new global sharing plates
The venues will also incorporate a tasting table where customers celebrating a special occasion or with extra time on their hands can book cocktail masterclasses.Design features will be synonymous with All Bar One’s newest remodelled sites; with exposed brick walls, natural wood, low-hanging lights and a combination of leather banquettes, high stools and chairs.
All aboard
The move into Birmingham Airport from Mitchells & Butlers comes at a time that a number of other branded national restaurant and pub chains are increasingly recognising the potential of high-footfall transport hubs. Late last year, Simon Emeny – chief executive of Fuller’s – said train stations were providing new opportunities for the pub company, with plans to open more railway station pubs in the near future.
Richard Gill, Birmingham Airport’s head of commercial, said: “The opening of the first of two All Bar One sites at Birmingham Airport has dramatically improved the food and beverage offer in the South departure lounge and also provides all passengers with an extensive menu and bar choice from a popular brand before jetting off.
“We’re very proud to become the first All Bar One airport site and we look forward to launching the completed programme for our passengers and visitors in the summer when the landside unit opens.”