SSP, a leading provider of food and beverage in travel locations worldwide, has chosen Newcastle Airport to unveil Flying Hippo – a unique new family dining concept – as part of the £14 million development programme at the North East’s flight hub.
With a focus on local suppliers such as Dropswell Farm and Manners Butchers, Flying Hippo is a fun new diner offering everything from classic cooked breakfasts and American-style pancakes to a range of ribs, wings, burgers and pizzas, as well as smoked brisket and pulled pork from its very own smoking oven.
With a special 15 minute service promise from the in-house ‘Hippo Cabin Crew’, there’s also an extensive breakfast menu to accommodate the airport’s busy morning period, as well as a vast drinks menu including Asti on tap. For younger visitors a children’s interactive play zone is available and special family dining booths containing state of the art tablets loaded with fun games featuring the restaurant’s mascot, Hamilton the Hippo.
Family restaurant with the flexibility of a food-to-go venue
Chief Marketing Officer, Lucy Knowles, said: “Since its launch just weeks ago, Flying Hippo has already proved to be a great success and popular choice with families. It offers the quality of a family restaurant with the flexibility of a food-to-go venue, making it a unique addition to the airport that we are excited to offer in light of its recent redevelopment. This is a first for Newcastle and we have exciting plans to introduce the concept in other parts of the country.”
As part of the departure lounge redevelopment, a new bar and restaurant venue has also opened: The Beer House offers a wide selection of beers, wines and spirits with a spotlight on locally sourced on-tap brews and, on the food menu, favourites such as pulled pork and roast beef stotties.
About SSP
SSP is a leading operator of food and beverage outlets 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 nearly 30,000 employees, serving approximately a million customers every day. It has business at circa 130 airports and circa 270 rail stations, and operates approximately 2,000 units in 29 countries around the world.
SSP operates an extensive portfolio of approximately 300 international, national, local and speciality brands. These include Upper Crust, Starbucks, Caffè Ritazza, Burger King, M&S Simply Food, Millie’s Cookies, O’Learys, Caviar House & Prunier, and leading Asian brands Ajisen Ramen and Saboten, as well as stunning bespoke concepts such as the Montreux Jazz Café in Geneva and the award winning Center Bar at Zurich.