Manchester airport starts revamp of T1

Emily Pacey

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Airside retail is set to expand as landside facilities are scaled down following a passenger study at the airport

Manchester airport is to invest more than £35m ($69.4m) to redevelop terminal one, following a study into passenger behaviour that found that passengers prefer to shop airside. The overhaul of T1 will result in the creation of one of the UK’s biggest airside retail areas, including a 25,000sq ft (2,322sq m) duty-free shop.

Retail property developer Milligan is using the results of the airport study, in which psychologists monitored travellers’ body language and conversations to build a picture of the passenger experience, to redesign the terminal.

Manchester airport said in a statement: “One of the main findings of the study was that passengers find the security screening process extremely stressful and are keen to get it over and done with as soon as possible. That trend has been accelerated by recent changes to security restrictions, particularly those relating to liquids.”

The security area will be moved directly behind the main check-in hall “to encourage passengers to move straight through the new, zoned airside retail, drinking and dining experience”. Landside facilities will be scaled down.

After passing through security passengers will enter the duty-free area, which will offer liquor, tobacco, fragrances and cosmetics. They will then move through a shopping zone of “quality high street brands” before arriving in the dining area.

Manchester airport commercial director Andrew Harrison said: “We’re in touch with our passengers’ needs and we’re very excited about the start of work on this new, specially designed airport experience.”

He continued: “We’ve carefully designed the zones after the security area to match the needs and moods of our passengers. This attention to detail, combined with one of the largest tax- and duty-free stores in the UK, will ensure that the new T1 retail offer will continue to attract passengers to Manchester airport.”