LEGO®, Pandora, Starbucks and More Join Manchester Airport’s Upgraded Terminal 2 Experience

(IN SHORT) Manchester Airport has opened a new section of its revamped Terminal 2 departure lounge, featuring six new high-profile shops and eateries including LEGO®, Rituals, Pandora, Starbucks, Joe & The Juice, and Upper Crust. This milestone forms part of a £1.3 billion, 10-year redevelopment project that will see over 70% of passengers use the upgraded terminal and the closure of Terminal 1 later this year. Additional venues like Chanel, Grindsmith by WH Smith, and a new food court are set to open by year-end. Airport executives and retail leaders praised the transformation, highlighting its commitment to offering world-class passenger experiences and celebrating Northern identity.

(PRESS RELEASE) MANCHESTER, 2025-Jul-28 — /Travel PR News/ — Manchester Airport has reached a major milestone in its £1.3 billion, decade-long Terminal 2 transformation project with the opening of a new section of its redeveloped departure lounge. This morning, passengers were welcomed into a refreshed space featuring six new retail and food outlets, just in time for the busy school summer holidays.

World-renowned brands LEGO®, Rituals, and Pandora have opened their first standalone stores at the airport, marking a significant enhancement in the passenger shopping experience. For those seeking refreshments, popular names including Starbucks, Joe & The Juice, and Upper Crust have also opened their doors.

Steve and Emma Laxton from Stalybridge, travelling with daughters Caitlin and Willow to Tenerife, were the first passengers to use the new facilities, highlighting the growing excitement among travellers for the modernised terminal.

The redevelopment doubles the size of Terminal 2 and reimagines it with world-class design and amenities. This latest opening follows the launch of the terminal’s extension in 2021. Now in the final phase, the project includes renovating the original Terminal 2 infrastructure to match the sleek, contemporary style of the extension. Once completed later this year, the updated Terminal 2 will serve more than 70% of the airport’s passengers, and Terminal 1 will close permanently.

Additional shops and dining experiences are set to open before the end of the year, including Chanel, Grindsmith by WH Smith, a Fever Tree cocktail and champagne bar, and the Great Northern Market – a vibrant food court featuring a variety of street food options. Construction is also underway on 13 new flexible aircraft stands and gates, and a passageway linking the security hall to the departure lounge will feature a unique chandelier installation, inspired by the iconic Venetian chandeliers once housed in Terminal 1.

Over 30 million passengers have passed through the new Terminal 2 extension since 2021. The space was honoured last year with the prestigious UNESCO-backed Prix Versailles award, celebrating its architectural excellence.

Leadership and Retail Partner Statements

Chris Woodroofe, Managing Director at Manchester Airport, remarked:
“It’s fantastic to see more of our new Terminal 2 come to life. These new openings elevate our vision of providing a world-class experience for the millions who travel through Manchester Airport. The design reflects the pride of the North—from the honeycomb and worker bee motifs to the many Northern-based and globally recognised brands now operating here.”

Richard Jackson, Retail Director, added:
“These openings represent the quality and ambition we’ve been working toward throughout the transformation. Each of these brands is a leader in its field, and we’re proud to offer them a platform to enhance the journey of every traveller who passes through Terminal 2.”

Nigel Cole, Managing Director for Infrastructure at Mace, the lead delivery partner on the project, added:
“This moment marks the culmination of years of coordinated effort. From reimagining passenger journeys to building entirely new infrastructure, Terminal 2 now stands as a world-class gateway to the North.”

Retailer Highlights

• Rituals: Lotte Rozemuller, Director of Travel Retail (EMEA & Americas), said the store offers travellers a serene space to unwind and explore Rituals’ wellbeing collections, including a hands-on Water Island feature.
• SSP (Upper Crust and Starbucks): Stuart Buchanan, Chief Property and Business Development Officer, said the opening extends their longstanding partnership with Manchester Airport and is expected to elevate pre-flight experiences.
• Pandora: Ross Monaghan, Sales Director, described the new standalone store as a milestone for the brand. With curated collections including bee-themed jewellery and lab-grown diamonds, personalisation services will allow customers to engrave custom messages for a personal touch.
• LEGO®: Peter Newbould, CEO of Lagardère Travel Retail UK & Ireland, said the LEGO® store brings an engaging, playful environment for families, tailored to reflect Manchester’s identity.

Press Contacts

Michael Murphy-Pyle
Head of Media
07565 178 364
photo:Alex Nash
Alex Nash
Media Lead
07565 178 245

SOURCE: The Manchester Airports Group plc.