Key Takeaways
• Glasgow Airport will invest £3.7 million in terminal restaurants and shops, announced on May 12, 2025.
• Sanford’s American Diner and Primo Volo will open in July and August 2025, offering American and Italian menus.
• Upgrades to retail include a new Accessorize, Travelex, and a renovated Boots, preparing for up to 13 million passengers annually.
Glasgow Airport has announced a major change for both travelers and staff. The airport is spending £3.7 million to update its restaurants and shops. This investment, made public on May 12, 2025, brings big improvements to the airport’s main terminal. The work will introduce new dining spots, freshen up older stores, and upgrade the departure lounge. The changes come at a time when Glasgow Airport expects the number of people passing through its doors to keep rising for many years.
Big Changes in Food and Shopping
Passengers at Glasgow Airport will soon notice several new restaurants and updated shops. The aim is to create a better experience for anyone traveling through the airport and to keep up with growing crowds, especially during busy summer months.
New Restaurants: Sanford’s American Diner and Primo Volo
One of the biggest updates is the arrival of two new places to eat:
- Sanford’s American Diner: This restaurant will take the place of Frankie & Benny’s. Sanford’s is operated by TRGC, which is one of the best-known travel food brands in the United Kingdom. When it opens in August 2025, Sanford’s will serve American favorites such as burgers, chicken, pizza, waffles, and milkshakes. It is designed to make families feel welcome, so people of all ages can enjoy a meal together before flying.
– Primo Volo: Travelers looking for something Italian will soon be able to visit Primo Volo. This new café bar is set to open in the main departure lounge in July 2025. It will offer a range of Italian foods, including pasta, ciabatta sandwiches, and cocktails. With a menu focused on fresh flavors, Primo Volo should appeal to people who want a quick, tasty meal or a relaxing drink before takeoff.
Alongside these restaurants, there are other updates to food and drink options at the airport. The Bird and Signet bar and kitchen will be improved, while the Stack & Still pancake counter will move to a new, more convenient spot for passengers.
Retail Upgrades: More Choice for Travelers
Travelers will also see more choices and better shopping at Glasgow Airport thanks to the investment:
- A new Accessorize store will open, giving travelers a spot to pick up accessories and fashion for their journey.
- A new Travelex unit will be installed, making it easier to exchange money or buy travel money cards before heading abroad.
- The existing Boots store will get a full makeover, so passengers can shop in a brighter, updated space with a wider range of health and beauty products.
These new and refreshed options aim to make time spent waiting at the airport more enjoyable and useful.
Why the Investment Matters
Glasgow Airport is working hard to keep up as more people choose to travel. The airport already handles about 8.3 million passengers, and it is getting close to its limit for food and drink service during busy times. Experts estimate that as many as 13 million people could use the airport each year by the 2030s.
As reported by VisaVerge.com, the £3.7 million investment in restaurants and shops is just one part of a wider project to overhaul the main terminal. This broader program goes beyond food and shopping. It also looks at how the airport can make check-in smoother, speed up security checks, and improve places where people wait for flights. Building changes are matched by new investments in runways and energy-saving systems to keep everything running efficiently and sustainably.
Tom Hack, Group Retail Director at AGS Airports, explained why these changes are important. He said, “Our continued investment in Glasgow Airport’s retail and passenger experience reflects our commitment to providing an excellent journey for all travellers. We are excited to see these improvements take shape over the coming months, starting with the refurbishment of Boots. The upgrades, which include enhancements to both airside and landside retail units as well as the departure lounge, will ensure passengers have access to modern, high-quality facilities while passing through the airport.” (Source: AGS Airports)
Broader Plans for the Airport
The restaurant and shop changes form part of the airport’s bigger plans for the main terminal building. This wider program has two main goals:
- Give travelers a better journey from the moment they arrive at the airport until their plane takes off.
- Invest in important “behind-the-scenes” infrastructure, like runways and systems that save energy and reduce waste.
This isn’t just about adding new food and shopping. It’s also about building an airport ready for the future. As passenger numbers increase, Glasgow Airport needs to be able to support more people safely and comfortably. The upgrades are part of the airport’s effort to keep offering a high standard of service as it grows.
According to the official Glasgow Airport announcement, work on the new restaurants and retail units has already started and will continue in the months ahead.
Sanford’s American Diner: What to Expect
Travelers who loved Frankie & Benny’s will now have the choice to try Sanford’s American Diner in the same place. Sanford’s aims to create a lively and friendly atmosphere. The diner’s menu is inspired by classic American dishes that are easy to enjoy with family or friends. Favorites like milkshakes, pizza, chicken, waffles, and burgers should appeal to a wide range of tastes.
TRGC, the company behind Sanford’s, is well-known for managing food services at train stations and airports across the United Kingdom. Their experience means they understand how to serve travelers who are in a hurry but still want good food. Sanford’s is designed to be a smart, modern space where people can relax before boarding their flight.
Primo Volo: Bringing Italian Flavor to the Departure Lounge
Opening its doors a month before Sanford’s, Primo Volo promises passengers an Italian-inspired experience. Located right in the heart of the main departure lounge, it’s set up to be both quick and relaxing. The menu focuses on light pasta dishes and Italian ciabatta sandwiches, as well as a bar offering classic Italian cocktails. Travelers with time to spare can enjoy a pre-flight drink, while those on the go will find plenty of fast, fresh meals.
Primo Volo is expected to attract both solo travelers and groups, giving everyone a little taste of Italy to start or end their journey. The opening of this café bar also marks a change from just offering fast food, as the airport moves towards higher quality and more varied dining.
Other New Retail and Food Improvements
The upgrades at Glasgow Airport are not only about adding new places, but also about making current ones better for everyone. The Bird and Signet bar and kitchen will receive improvements, helping to keep it fresh and inviting. The Stack & Still pancake stall will be moved to a different part of the airport where more passengers can easily find it. The Accessorize and Travelex additions will give travelers more options while they wait.
The Boots store makeover stands out as another key part of this investment. Boots is a well-loved British chain, and many passengers rely on it for last-minute travel health goods, snacks, or beauty products. Making this store bigger and brighter is part of the airport’s promise to create a modern and pleasant shopping space for travelers.
Planning for Growth: Why Now?
The airport’s decision to move now is a direct response to growing demand. During busy periods, especially in summer, the current food and drink spaces are nearly full. With predictions of big passenger growth between now and the mid-2030s, directors want to make sure that neither customers nor airlines are let down by crowded and outdated facilities.
Refurbishing and expanding these services is seen as crucial to staying competitive with other major airports in the United Kingdom and across Europe. Good food, varied shops, and easy access to essential items are becoming must-haves for airports with millions of yearly travelers.
The People Behind the Change
The companies behind the new restaurants and shops each bring plenty of experience. TRGC, running Sanford’s American Diner, is known for running successful dining spots in other busy travel hubs. The choice of an Italian-themed café bar with Primo Volo signals a move toward offering more international choices. Accessorize, Travelex, and Boots are all trusted brands that are recognized for good service and value.
The involvement of these well-known names helps ensure that the airport upgrades will meet the needs of people from all walks of life—families, business travelers, tourists, and people flying for personal reasons.
Impact on Travelers, Workers, and Airlines
These improvements will have a positive effect on several groups:
- Travelers: With new and better places to eat and shop, passengers will find it easier to relax or take care of last-minute needs before a flight. More variety also means more choice for people with different tastes or dietary needs.
- Airport workers: The upgrades could bring new jobs and better working conditions for staff, as busier restaurants and shops will need more hands on deck.
- Airlines: A more modern airport with happy travelers can help attract more airlines to offer new flight routes, which benefits the wider region.
Keeping Passengers Informed and Comfortable
As construction on these new facilities moves forward, the airport has promised to keep passengers updated about what’s happening. Making big changes in a busy place can sometimes bring disruption, but the airport team is working to ensure that services remain open and useful throughout the upgrade process. Temporary signs and guidance will help travelers find their way if any units are moved or shut for short periods.
By being transparent and updating regularly, Glasgow Airport aims to make the upgrade process as smooth as possible for everyone.
Looking to the Future
The £3.7 million investment in restaurants and retail isn’t just about the present—it’s also laying a foundation for many years to come. With passenger numbers on the rise and demand for better services higher than ever, these upgrades will allow Glasgow Airport to welcome more people in comfort and style.
By adding popular brands like Sanford’s American Diner and Primo Volo, as well as improving long-standing favorites, the airport hopes to set new standards for quality and service. This is good news for travelers, employees, and the wider community that benefits from a busy, well-run airport.
What’s Next for Passengers?
As work continues through the rest of 2025 and beyond, passengers should watch for updates on the opening dates of Sanford’s American Diner and Primo Volo. Regular travelers will soon be able to enjoy these new experiences, while first-time visitors will find more choices and a more welcoming atmosphere than ever before.
Anyone planning a trip through Glasgow Airport should keep an eye on official airport updates for more information about the changes and how they might affect check-in or waiting times.
In summary, the airport’s £3.7 million investment in new restaurants, better shops, and upgraded facilities will provide travelers with a wider array of choices and a more comfortable environment. As the airport moves into a new era, these steps will help it serve millions of people better each year.
Whether stopping in at Sanford’s American Diner for a quick bite, enjoying the Italian flavors of Primo Volo, or shopping in a refreshed Boots store, travelers through Glasgow Airport can look forward to a more vibrant and enjoyable journey from start to finish.
Learn Today
Departure lounge → The area in an airport where passengers wait before boarding their flights, often featuring shops and restaurants.
Concessions → Shops and restaurants operating within the airport, providing goods and services to travelers while generating revenue for the airport.
Runways → Long, paved surfaces at airports where airplanes take off and land, crucial for efficient airport operations.
Refurbishment → The process of renovating or updating existing facilities, such as restaurants or shops, to improve appearance and service quality.
Infrastructure → Basic physical structures and systems, like buildings, energy, and transport, needed for an airport to function efficiently.
This Article in a Nutshell
Glasgow Airport is investing £3.7 million to transform its main terminal, adding Sanford’s American Diner, Primo Volo, and revamped shops. These changes, debuting mid-2025, aim to serve rising passenger numbers with more food, shopping, and comfort, creating a vibrant atmosphere for travelers, staff, and airlines alike.
— By VisaVerge.com
