A new bar called The Grain Loft opens at Manchester Airport T1 on 21 March. It will be operated by food travel experts SSP, and has been designed to reflect the warmth and character of the north west of Britain. Its menu will showcase the food and drink for which the region is renowned, notably matching food with ales.
Food featuring regional ales
The Manchester area is home to some of the finest ales in the UK, and a selection of these will be sold at the bar. Many will be featured as ingredients in the food served. Dishes such as Krakauer sausage marinated in Weetwood’s Cheshire Cat ale, or steak and ale pie made with British beef and roasted root vegetables in a Dunham Massey Big Tree bitter gravy will be on the menu. Listed alongside each choice is a recommended beer which has been specially selected as the perfect accompaniment.
A highlight of the menu is the Beer Can Chicken sharer for two – a whole marinated chicken, slow roasted over a can of Thornbridge’s Jaipur IPA, and served with triple cooked chips and homemade seasonal coleslaw.
Time-guarantee on menu items
Many design and service features have been incorporated to meet the unique needs of the travelling consumer. To ensure the busy traveller can relax, special care has been taken to help them feel in control of their time. Flight information display screens are within easy view of every seat, while a thirteen minute time-guarantee on many items on the menu means those short of time can still enjoy a meal before their flight.
Self-service beer stations, where customers can simply set up a tab, choose a featured beer and pour their pint themselves, speed service and provide a real talking point. ‘Sound pods’ allow guests to choose their own music and create their own atmosphere.
Giving passengers something to enjoy
Beth Brewster, Retail Director for MAG, owners of Manchester Airport, said: ‘The Grain Loft is a great new addition to our busiest terminal. The sound pods, beer stations and the use of local produce are truly unique and will give our passengers, whether travelling with the family or on business, something to enjoy. SSP have always understood and worked alongside us in giving passengers something different, modern and innovative and I’m sure it will be a success. I can’t wait to try the Beer Can Chicken.’
About SSP
SSP is the leading dedicated provider of food and beverage brands in travel locations, operating restaurants, bars, cafés, food courts, lounges and convenience stores in airports, train stations, motorway service stations and other leisure locations. With a heritage stretching back over 60 years, today SSP has 30,000 employees, serving over a million customers every day. It has business at over 140 airports and over 250 rail stations, and operates more than 2,100 units in 30 countries around the world.
SSP UK operates over 600 retail and catering outlets including restaurants, pubs, bars and coffee shops at 20 airports and 115 rail stations throughout UK and Ireland.