A £2.6 million redevelopment of the departure lounge at Bristol Airport starts this week in what's described as a 'clear sign of confidence' in the future of the travel hub.

The work to improve the shopping and dining areas is expected to be completed in time for the Easter holiday getaway. Changes will be made to the design of the retail units to provide a 'smoother and easier' shopping experience.

WHSmith is expanding its current unit to incorporate its technology brand InMotion which the acquired in 2018.

SSP UK & Ireland, a leading operator of food and beverage outlets in travel locations, will be operating a range of units to cater for passengers at the airport. This includes a new Tortilla, an award-winning Mexican restaurant.

SSP will also be relaunching an airside bar and upgrading its Cabin bar and Ritazza coffee shop.

The airport's fashion sports retailer, JD Sports, will also be upgrading and relocating its premisses to a much larger unit in the departure lounge.

The enhancements will also see global Foreign Exchange operator, Global Exchange Group, launch operations at the airport.

Tom Hack, head of commercial at Bristol Airport, said: "The £2.6million investment in the enhancements of the commercial amenities shows a very clear sign of the confidence our commercial partners have in Bristol Airport and vice versa.

"The redevelopments will create dozens of new jobs to the local area as the airport sees a continued passenger growth since the Covid pandemic.

"We are very confident that the investment and redevelopment in our departure lounge will provide a greater passenger experience as we offer new places to shop, eat, drink and relax before you fly."