TRG Concessions opens Sanfords, the UK’s largest airport F&B venue, at London Luton

UK. TRG Concessions has unveiled the two-floor, American-style Sanfords Diner & Loft Bar at London Luton Airport.

At 1,190sq m and accommodating 480 covers, it is claimed to be the largest UK airport food & beverage venue.

The statement airside opening, designed by turnerbates Design & Architecture, took two years to develop and features a family-friendly diner on the first floor plus a relaxing bar setting on the second.

The diner menu delivers American classics and Stateside twists on British equivalents. Breakfast options include cinnamon swirl pancakes and a US spin on the English fry up, with afternoon menu highlights including Sanfords Loaded Dog, the Cheeseburger Pizza, Jambalaya and the Philly Cheesesteak.

The mezzanine Loft Bar is a drinks and light bites-focused space. Alongside wide-ranging drinks options, customers can choose from a menu of handheld food.

The morning menu includes sausage and bacon breakfast muffins and breakfast burritos; while the afternoon offering brings options such as buttermilk fried chicken, loaded potato skins and a crispy CLB sandwich.

A shuffleboard table is among the amenities for bar guests.

TRG Concessions Commercial Director Kirsten Pottinger told The Moodie Davitt Report: “Sanfords has been one of the most challenging yet enjoyable projects to date for TRG Concessions. It’s been a two-year process from start to finish, from developing a unique and contemporary new family-diner concept to curating the best all-day menus.

“Essentially, we’ve created our most vibrant and engaging restaurant and bar environment to date, all while navigating the complex install of the new striking mezzanine floor overlooking the departure lounge and continuing to ensure Luton’s passengers get the very best experience.

“Our focus now is welcoming all of Luton’s passengers and sharing the joy in choosing from our diner menu downstairs or Loft Bar upstairs at Sanfords.”

London Luton Airport Chief Commercial Officer Jonathan Rayner said: “Even in the context of so many other exciting shop and restaurant openings seen at London Luton Airport over the past 12 months, to open the doors to a landmark establishment of this size underlines the scale of ambition of the airport.

“As the largest restaurant in any UK airport, Sanfords truly delivers the wow factor, providing passengers with a wonderful space to dine, relax and unwind, along with a mouthwatering menu to ensure their travels get off to the perfect start.

“Sanfords is an exciting addition to the LLA departure lounge that cements our focus on offering even greater choice and delivering a simple and friendly passenger experience.”

TRG Concessions CEO Jon Knight commented: “The launch of Sanfords is an important milestone for TRGC and we are delighted to be welcoming passengers to this special location. To be opening not only our biggest site ever, but the biggest of its kind in the UK, is a proud moment for us and testament to the hard work and ambition of the team.

“Our long-standing partnership with LLA has been instrumental in bringing this vision to life and we look forward to continuing this journey with an exciting pipeline of openings set for 2025.”

The opening of Sanfords follows London Luton Airport being recognised as the standout European airport for food & beverage at the 2024 Airport Food & Beverage (FAB) Awards.

The accolade recognised the airport for significant investment, ambition, quality, service, transformation and performance across its extensive range of dining options.

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