A MULTI-MILLION pound investment into Southend Airport will see a host of new and exciting restaurants introduced in a bid to further boost the passenger experience.

Airport bosses have announced a new partnership with The Restaurant Group (TRG) Concessions to take over the food and drink units onsite.

The partnership will see £5million injected into the airport over the course of the next ten years.

Glyn Jones, chief executive officer of Stobart Aviation, owners of Southend Airport, said: “We are consistently voted best airport in London and a key part of our mission is to deliver a great experience for our guests.

“We know from customer feedback that improving our food and beverage offer is the main way we can make their experience even better.

“So this new partnership with TRG Concessions, which will bring many recognised brands to Southend Airport, is fantastic news for passengers.

“It is also a great vote of confidence in the UK’s fastest growing airport and is another step along our road to becoming both bigger and better.”

TRG Concessions is a leading, well-known operator delivering high quality food and beverage outlets in travel locations across the country.

Award-winning TRG Concessions will take over the existing airport operated outlets and their existing teams in next month.

Currently, the airport offers Arnold & Forbes Cafe Kitchen which offers hot and cold snacks. The airport also features Lakers Bar & Restaurant which offers a full menu.

These will both close to make way for a bespoke pub and dining concept named The Navigator, along with eclectic world food restaurant Giraffe Stop and Costa coffee outlets, during the summer.

They have further plans to introduce more nationally recognised food and drink brands over the coming years.

High-end restaurant Bourgee luxe lounge will remain open, despite the company closing its full restaurant branches in Chelmsford, Southend and Bury St Edmunds.

This partnership will see TRG invest more than £5million developing the food and beverage offer at Southend Airport over the next ten years, with these developments expected to create further jobs in the airport.

The company already operates food and drink outlets at multiple airports and shopping centres across the country, including airports in Stansted, Manchester, Heathrow and Gatwick.

They also operate outlets at the Eurostar, the Trafford Centre and Piccadilly station in Manchester as well Victoria Place, in central London.

As well as Giraffe and Costa, the company also affiliates with American restaurant Coast to Coast, Frankie and Benny’s and the Olive Tree cafe bar.

Nick Ayerst, managing director at TRG Concessions said: “We are delighted to have acquired sites at Southend Airport, given its future growth prospects.

“We look forward to trading them with a view to developing further award-winning new concessions at the airport over the next few years.”