Teesside airport opens small spaces for tender

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Retailers sought to cater for increase in passenger traffic

Teesside International airport has called for retailers and concessionaires to operate a series of kiosks in the concourse and departure areas. The move comes as part of the airport's £20m ($38m) redevelopment. The invitation to tender is initially aimed at local companies wishing to enter travel-retail and is in place in order to help boost local trade. But properties executive Jim Cuthbert told DFNI that any larger or international companies would be welcomed.

The kiosks will initially be small, most measuring less than 10sq m (100sq ft) but if any operators feel they require larger space, all proposals would be considered, he added.

Contracts will be set initially for one year with a three-month break clause. The location for the kiosks is flexible.

The airport is forecasting passenger figures of 900,000 by the end of the year. This compares to the 2003 figure of 712,394.

Airlines already serving the airport include Bmi, Bmi Baby, Ryanair and KLM although new international routes and more airlines are scheduled to serve the airport soon.

The airport will also change its name at the end of summer to Durham Tees Valley International airport.