Liverpool John Lennon Airport unveils the latest stage of its multi-million pound departure lounge refresh with the imminent arrival of coffee shop brand SOHO. Tony McDonough reports

Work is under way on the latest hospitality outlet to be added at Liverpool John Lennon Airport (LJLA).

SOHO Coffee due to open a unit in the departure lounge in June just ahead of the peak summer holiday period. This will be the latest brand added as part of LJLA’s multi-million pound departure lounge refresh.

This will be the food-led SOHO Coffee’s first store in the North West. In addition to its range of coffees and other hot drinks, it will be serving up fresh, handmade and high-quality food throughout the day for passengers.

SOHO’s menu will feature everything from loaded jacket potatoes and seasonal salads to fully stacked breakfast rolls and signature drinks.

It collaborations with brands such as PerfectTed, will introduce premium matcha – the powdered green tea known for its vibrant green colour and health benefits to the menu.

And a partnership with nostalgic favourite Jammie Dodgers brings a “playful twist” to a new hot chocolate and its SOnut which is SOHO Coffee’s collaboration between a donut and a croissant.

This new unit will have seating space for 100 passengers in addition to a ‘grab and go’ offer for those wanting to take their food away with them to eat on board their flight later.

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Fiona Nuttall, head of proposition at SOHO Coffee, said: “We’re incredibly proud to be opening our very first store in Liverpool, and Liverpool John Lennon Airport is the perfect place to do it. 

“This opening marks an exciting step in our growth journey, bringing our crafted coffee and handcrafted food to even more customers across the UK.”

In January 2024 food and beverage operator SSP secured a new 10-year deal with LJLA to continue operating multiple outlets at the airport. This would take it to 2036 and it revealed plans to expand F&B capacity in the departure lounge by 50%.

A new outlet, Monty’s Diner, opened in January and work is also under way on a major expansion of the Aspire Executive Lounge. Since first opening its doors in May 2012, the Aspire Lounge, operated by Swissport has become extremely popular with airport users.

Lucy O’Shaughnessy, commercial director for LJLA , added: “SOHO Coffee will bring something a little different to the range of coffee shops here at the airport with their alternative take on certain hot drinks, pastries and other snacks, which are sure to prove popular with our passengers.”