Design & construction
Above: The revamped departure lounge will have new flooring and seating and differentiated ‘mood zones’.
Below: The idea behind the redevelopment is to give passengers a simpler and more streamlined airport experience.
targeted towards a different type of passenger. “This year, we have welcomed a host of new food and beverage outlets, all with very different offerings, such as Vagabond Bar and Kitchen, South Downs Sparkling Wine Bar, Greggs and The Breakfast Club,” she says. “Before the end of the year, we’ll also welcome BrewDog, with Black Sheep Coffee, Krispy Kreme and a revamped Giraffe World Kitchen all coming soon too. So, you can start to see how we are focused on providing a wide variety of options.”
£10m The cost of
London Gatwick’s North Terminal redevelopment programme, to be completed by spring 2024.
London Gatwick A sense of place
Of course, not every passenger passing through the airport’s terminals will want to shop or eat before boarding their flight. While some may have hours to while away in the terminal building – making them a captive market for retailers – many will simply want to get from A to B as fast as possible. The idea behind the redevelopment is to give passengers a simpler and more streamlined journey through the airport.
“Navigation will be easier and smoother, addressing what can sometimes be quite a stressful
experience of finding where you need to go for your gate,” says Bulford. “We are really excited by our new orientation zone, which will have a unique, eye-catching design and digital artwork. I think it will become quite iconic for the North Terminal.” She adds that the redevelopment aims to foster a sense of place. Regional identity is at the core of London Gatwick’s new branding, with the airport conceived as a gateway not just to London but to the rest of the English southeast. Two Sussex-based companies – BP Installations and CCI Gatwick – have been contracted for the redevelopment, while London Gatwick is working closely with its retail and F&B outlets to promote local produce and products. A hypothetical shopper might well start out at the brand-new
curi.o.city store, where they can have a browse and pick up a quirky momento of their time in London. With a little more time on their hands, they might well decide to stop at the South Downs wine bar for a glass of English sparkling wine, before enjoying a locally inspired food menu at Juniper and Co. They might even decide to make a stop at the World Duty Free section, where they choose to purchase a bottle of bespoke gin from local distillery Silent Pool. “It’s important we create a unique sense of place for our passengers, not only through our retail and restaurant provision, but also the look and feel of the departure lounge,” says Bulford. “We’ll showcase local artwork, enhancing our connection to the community, and bring the outside in with our new planting and greenery, reflecting the beautiful Sussex countryside.”
The finished product
Asked which of the changes she thinks passengers will be happiest to see at the airport, Bulford remarks “you’ll have to ask our passengers once |the work is complete”. However, she herself admits that she’s most excited to see the overall redevelopment, as she thinks the different aspects will complement each other well. “The new look will really transform the space and make the whole experience for passengers much smoother, which is the main aim,” she says.
Of course, the big story here is what happens next in terms of the northern runway for the airport. If that plan is ultimately approved, then this latest redevelopment will mark the start of a much more comprehensive wave of changes. Either way, though, the spruced-up departure lounge marks a move towards a modernised, rebranded London Gatwick. “Work is well underway and passengers travelling through our North Terminal will already be able to see a number of changes,” says Bulford. “Work is on course to be completed in the spring and we are all very excited to see the finished product.” ●
10 Future Airport /
www.futureairport.com
London Gatwick
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