Compass Group travel concession business SSP has agreed a licence tie-up with Starbucks at three UK airports.

The high-street coffee shop brand will open at SSP units at Newcastle International Airport, Glasgow Prestwick International Airport and Bristol International Airport this summer.

An SSP spokeswoman said the deal, the first of its kind between the two companies, would be extended across SSP’s 22 UK airport sites if successful.

Simon Turl, managing director of SSP Air, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity to provide passengers with more choice, as well as the Starbucks experience.”

Cliff Burrows, president Starbucks UK and Ireland, said: “We are confident this will prove to be a successful entry into new markets enabling us to bring the Starbucks experience to a wider range of customers.”

SSP said it was also in discussion with other high-street brands about similar deals. “We recognise that both airports and passengers want to see recognised brands,” said a spokeswoman.

But she denied the move marked the end for Compass in-house brand Café Ritazza, which has sites at Bristol and Newcastle airports.

“A lot of passengers like Ritazza because it is different,” she said. 

By Tom Bill

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