Comptoir Libanais confirms Gatwick Airport for sixth restaurant

26-Aug-2013 - Last updated on 28-Aug-2013 at 08:17 GMT

Comptoir Libanais will open its first airport restaurant at Gatwick later this year

Lebanese restaurant chain Comptoir Libanais has confirmed plans to open its first airport restaurant at Gatwick's North Terminal later this year.

The 1,800 square foot restaurant will be run by TRG Concessions on behalf of the business and will join Jamie Oliver's Jamie's Italian, Jamie's Bakery and Union Jacks' Bar, YO! Sushi, Caviar House and Prunier, Pret a Manger and Starbucks in providing an improved air-side food offering at the revamped terminal.

Travellers will be able to eat in or take-away dishes in 'easy-to-carry' aircraft packaging and also buy a range of Lebanese products, from cooking ingredients to lanterns, teapots and embroidered handbags.

Charlotte Christiansen, business development manager for catering at London Gatwick, said the airport had been keen to introduce Comptoir Libanais to passengers after research showed they wanted to see a wider variety of cuisines on offer there.

She said: “Gatwick’s food and beverage strategy has focused on delivering even greater choice for passengers as part of the wider £1 billion transformation of the airport, which has seen the redevelopment of both of our departure lounges and a vast array of new shops and restaurants open.

“Comptoir Libanais will offer an exciting new dining experience thanks to its unique ambiance and exceptional menu which caters for a wide variety of tastes. It also fits perfectly into the needs of the modern air passenger – serving up healthy, flavoursome food in a time-frame to suit each individual’s needs.”

Airport

In 2011 Comptoir Libanais founder and creative director Tony Kitous told BigHospitality airports were a good fit for the brand with Gatwick and Heathrow on the company's radar.

Kitous said he was 'thrilled' to be opening the company's sixth site at Gatwick.

"It provides us with a unique opportunity to welcome a diverse clientele of travellers to enjoy Comptoir Libanais's cuisine. What could be better than sharing some baklawa on the plane?" he said.

Chaker Hanna, Comptoir Libanais's group managing director said he was looking forward to working closely with Gatwick Airport and TRG Concessions to 'make our first airport restaurant a great success.'

Nick Ayerst, managing director of TRG Concessions, said: “TRG Concessions is very excited about bringing Comptoir Libanais and a taste of the Middle East to Gatwick Airport. It will add diversity to the food offering within the terminal, as well as fuss-free, affordable dining.

"The light and healthy options are in line with the more conscious diners’ diets whilst the vast selection of dips and mezzes brings home the concept that Lebanese food is all about being a fantastic, social affair.”

Since 2011 11 new food and beverage outlets have opened across Gatwick's South and North Terminals as part of a £1.2bn investment into the airport.