MAG brings Escape Lounge catering in house as part of brand refresh
MAG (Manchester Airports Group) is taking the catering operation for its UK Escape Lounges in house and is at the same time refreshing the branding, menu options and beverage offer at the award-winning common use lounges.
The Escape Lounges, which MAG operates at its Manchester, London Stansted and East Midlands airports, will from now on offer completely all-inclusive food and drink provided by MAG’s own staff. The food and drink operation in the lounges was previously run by Delaware North Company.
The Lounges will also be undergoing a brand refresh, with new colour schemes, menu designs and locally-inspired artwork. They will also feature new “Instagram walls” where passengers will be in with a chance of seeing their own Instagram photos displayed for a limited period of time.
The refreshed look and feel of the lounges is designed to bring MAG’s Escape Lounges across the world bang up to date with the latest décor trends.
MAG has set the following launch dates for the new look lounges:
20th September – East Midlands Airport
11th October – London Stansted Airport
10th November – Manchester Airport (Terminals 1, 2 and 3)
The changes at each lounge will all be carried out within 24 hours meaning the lounges will only be closed for business for one day prior to the launch.
Over the years, Escape has grown, including the opening of three new lounges in the USA, so we have taken the opportunity to refresh our offer.
The new menus and beverage options, which will now be handled for the first time by in house MAG staff at every lounge, are fully ‘all inclusive’. Items that used to be ‘paid’ upgrade options, including hot breakfasts, premium beers and spirits, and hot meat and vegetarian main dishes, are now available for the single entry price. This includes Veuve Valmante sparkling wine.
All colleagues who worked in the Escape Lounge food and beverage operation for Delaware North Company have been given the opportunity to transfer across to become MAG employees.
MAG’s US Escape Lounges and the 1903 Lounge at Manchester Airport are not affected by the changes.
Beth Brewster, Executive Vice President, Lounges at MAG said: “Our Escape Lounges are intended to offer our guests an escape from the hustle and bustle of the terminal. We opened our first Escape Lounge in Manchester in 2000. Over the years, Escape has grown, including the opening of three new lounges in the USA, so we have taken the opportunity to refresh our offer.
“In particular, I am pleased to welcome new colleagues into MAG who will help us expand our catering offer and appeal to more passengers who want to experience Escape, whether in East Midlands in the UK or Oakland, California.”