Key Points
- Bristol Airport has revealed four new food and beverage concepts as part of the first phase of its £400 million transformation scheme.
- The new additions include Bill’s, Cosy Club, Wagamama, and a bespoke local bar and kitchen called Tap + Brew.
- Bill’s will open in early summer 2027 as only its second UK airport location, operated by global travel retailer Avolta.
- Home-grown West Country brand Cosy Club will launch its first-ever airport outlet, operated by TRG Concessions.
- Pan-Asian restaurant Wagamama will feature communal seating, open kitchens, and early-morning breakfast menus.
- Tap + Brew, operated by SSP UK & Ireland, will highlight local provenance via a partnership with Bristol craft brewer Wiper and True.
- The scheme almost doubles the current retail and dining space in the departure lounge and adds 20% more general terminal seating.
Bristol (Bristol Express News) August 19, 2026 – Four major new restaurant brands are set to join a significantly expanded departure lounge at Bristol Airport, forming the flagship commercial element of the travel hub’s multi-million-pound redevelopment project.
As reported by aviation and regional business media outlets covering the announcement, Bristol Airport confirmed that Bill’s, Cosy Club, Wagamama, and Tap + Brew Bar and Kitchen will make up the initial wave of new hospitality options for passengers. The venues will begin opening across summer and autumn 2027 as part of a wider £400 million investment scheme aimed at modernising the terminal, expanding floor space, and diversifying passenger dining choices.
What Are The Specific Details Of The New Restaurant Openings?
The rollout will begin in early summer 2027 with the arrival of high-street dining brand Bill’s. Operated by global travel retail operator Avolta, the venue will become only the second Bill’s outlet inside a UK airport terminal.
As reported by senior editorial teams across regional news outlets, the venue will feature an extensive all-day menu covering breakfast, lunch, and dinner, along with dedicated Coeliac UK-approved gluten-free selections.
Beth Brewster, Senior Coordinating Director for Avolta F&B (UK), stated:
“We are really excited to bring Bill’s to Bristol Airport, marking the brand’s second airport location in the UK. Bill’s is a well-loved restaurant concept, and its arrival reflects Avolta’s focus on delivering relevant, high-quality food and beverage experiences in the airport environment.”
Tom James, Managing Director at Bill’s, stated:
“Bristol Airport is such an exciting project to be involved in. As a key travel hub with such a large catchment area, the development and growth of this fantastic Airport is something we are very proud to be part of. Bill’s is finding a great new home in the airport environment, and the opportunity to delight the thousands of passengers from families to solo travellers travelling from Bristol each week is something we are really looking forward to.”
Following the launch of Bill’s, home-grown brand Cosy Club will make its global airport debut. Founded in Bristol in 2002 by the Loungers Group, the venue will be operated within the terminal by TRG Concessions.
As reported by retail correspondent Hannah Baker, Nick Collins, Chief Executive Officer of Loungers, stated:
“We are really excited about Cosy Club opening in Bristol Airport. We think our all-day menu will represent a real step-up in terms of choice for travellers, and we are really chuffed that Bristol Airport chose us as a local Bristol business to open here.”
The third outlet included in the wave is international pan-Asian chain Wagamama, which will also be operated by TRG Concessions. The space will incorporate signature elements such as communal bench seating, an open-kitchen layout, and bespoke breakfast options including eggs, waffles, and granola alongside its standard menu of ramen, curries, and bao buns.
The final concept in the initial phase is Tap + Brew Bar and Kitchen, scheduled to open in autumn 2027 under the management of travel catering operator SSP UK & Ireland. The bespoke craft pub concept will showcase regional provenance through an exclusive partnership with local Bristol brewer Wiper and True, offering craft beers and ciders alongside classic pub cuisine, seasonal cocktails, and low-and-no-alcohol beverages.
How Does This Development Fit Into The Airport’s Broader Transformation Plan?
The addition of these four dining brands marks the first phase of a broader overhaul of Bristol Airport’s departure terminal. The master project represents a £400 million capital investment, with over £60 million allocated directly toward terminal floor expansions and customer experience enhancements.
As reported by industry news editor Matthew Wilson, Kate Gwyther, Head of Retail at Bristol Airport, stated:
“We’re delighted to welcome these exciting and much-loved restaurants to Bristol Airport. We’re on a mission to offer our customers some really great options to suit their tastebuds, dietary requirements, time and pocket. We really hope they will be spoilt for choice and feel their holiday can begin once they arrive at Bristol Airport whether that’s with breakfast, lunch or dinner.”
Gwyther further noted that the brand arrivals represent the start of a broader commercial revamp:
“Bill’s is only at one other airport in the UK, and we know it’s going to be a massive hit with customers as will Cosy Club, as it’s such a popular independent restaurant group here in the Southwest. Wagamama, which is no stranger to airports, will also be a welcome addition. We know it will go down a storm with our customers. On top of this we will have a new larger bespoke bar and kitchen, which will feature locally brewed drinks. This is just the beginning of a very exciting transformation for our customers, creating a new level of shopping and dining at the airport.”
According to official project disclosures released by Bristol Airport management, the redesign will nearly double the number of retail and catering outlets in the terminal. The expanded footprint adds 17 new commercial units in total, alongside a 20 per cent increase in general airport seating capacity. Future announcements scheduled for late 2027 will unveil additional coffee shops, quick-service outlets, grab-and-go options, premium lounges, and a hidden speakeasy bar concept.
Background Of The Bristol Airport Departure Lounge Development
Bristol Airport’s departure lounge expansion is the direct result of multi-year planning efforts to accommodate rising passenger numbers across the South West of England and South Wales. As the region’s primary international gateway, the airport has experienced sustained growth in leisure and business travel, placing strain on peak-hour terminal capacity and existing retail infrastructure.
Planning approval for the £400 million master development was secured following comprehensive environmental and infrastructure reviews, allowing airport owners to modernise facilities built for lower historical throughput. Terminal construction work officially commenced at the end of 2025, prioritising structural extensions to the departure lounge, upgraded security zones, and expanded baggage handling infrastructure.
The decision to mix national high-street chains like Wagamama and Bill’s with regional enterprises like Cosy Club and Wiper and True reflects a growing trend in airport commercial strategy. European airport operators have increasingly shifted away from standard generic concession stands toward recognized brands and regional food hubs to increase passenger satisfaction scores and boost non-aeronautical commercial revenues.
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Prediction: How This Development Will Affect Passengers And Regional Businesses
The £400 million overhaul and expanded food offer will impact two main groups: regional passengers and the local hospitality economy.
For travelling passengers, the departure lounge expansion directly addresses historical pinch-points regarding seating availability and dining wait times during peak morning and holiday travel windows. The inclusion of Coeliac UK-approved gluten-free menus at Bill’s, plant-based options at Wagamama, and varied price-point seating will accommodate broader dietary and financial preferences. Furthermore, a 20 per cent increase in general terminal seating ensures non-dining passengers gain improved comfort while waiting for flights.
For the South West business community, the commercial model provides local suppliers and brands direct access to an international audience of millions of annual travellers. Local independent businesses—such as Wiper and True brewery, Cornwall’s Baker Tom, and Philip Warren Butchers who supply Cosy Club—gain long-term supply chain contracts within the travel venue. Additionally, the construction phase and subsequent operational staffing of 17 new retail and dining units will generate several hundred permanent hospitality and airport operations jobs across the West of England region.
