SSP wins seven-year deal at London City Airport

Travel concession operator SSP has landed a seven-year deal at London City Airport worth in excess of £60m.

The contract, which begins on 1 April, will see SSP operate five cafés and restaurants: two new cafés that will begin trading by summer and three existing outlets, which will be refurbished in a programme scheduled to complete by August.

The City Bar and Grill will have an extensive wine list and a selection of beers and lagers that includes local brews from micro-brewery Meantime. Passengers will be able to order food and pre-book dining prior to departure, via staff equipped with hand-held devices across the terminal.

SSP will also introduce caterer Rhubarb, operator at the Royal Albert Hall and American Airlines London Heathrow First and Business Class lounge, to London City Airport with the "rhubarb" restaurant, which aims to deliver food to the table in less than 10 minutes.

Illy Espressamente Café and a landside Panopolis bakery are the two new outlets, while a second Panopolis will open airside as part of the refurbishment programme.

Tony Keating, CEO of SSP, said the successful proposals were based on SSP's extensive knowledge of the airport consumer, founded in the company's detailed programme of consumer research as well as specific understanding of the traveller at City Airport.

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By Janie Stamford

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