Newcastle plans $6m retail revamp

Nicole Mezzasalma

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New retail facilities included in long-term investment plan

Extended retail facilities and a new restaurant are part of a £3m ($6.07m) improvement plan at Newcastle International airport. The extra funding is part of a £25m ($50.6m) development programme that will see the airport double in size over the next 10 years.

The existing structure of the airport will remain unchanged but the first floor security area will be replaced with an expanded walk-through retail and duty-free area and a new restaurant, said head of planning Graeme Mason. Alpha Airports Group holds the license to operate duty-free and speciality stores at Newcastle airport.

Mason said: “The airport is expected to double its 3,500 workforce over the next 10 years and the latest investment is part of upgrading the airport to the next level. Now that we will have our first long-haul intercontinental service to Dubai thanks to Emirates [Airlines], we believe there will be a demand for higher quality retailers and a full service restaurant."

Emirates will start a daily service from Newcastle to Dubai on September 1 and some flights are already fully booked.