SSP to take over seven more Starbucks airport coffee shops

Travel concession operator SSP has signed a deal that will see it take over the operation of seven additional Starbucks coffee shops at airports across England, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

The agreement takes the total number of Starbucks outlets operated by SSP in the UK to 31 and the seven new stores are expected to add a total of £10m of sales per year.

SSP has operated the brand since 2008 and is responsible for 47 Starbucks coffee shops across the globe in total. This number will rise to over 50 stores by the end of September.

The new deal follows the recent transfer of two units at Liverpool Street station in London to SSP from Starbucks.

Kris Engskov, UK managing director of Starbucks, said: "Starbucks has been working with SSP for many years in the UK and Europe and it's clear that their expertise in travel locations puts them in the best position to grow the Starbucks business in these airport stores."

Andrew Lynch, chief executive of SSP, added: "Working in partnership with a leading name such as Starbucks requires considerable trust, and upholding the reputation of such a brand is a considerable responsibility.

"This latest agreement is testament to our skill and expertise in this complex and demanding market and demonstrates Starbucks' absolute trust in our abilities."

By Janie Manzoori-Stamford

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