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A major UK airport has unveiled a brand-new bar and restaurant as part of a £60 million upgrade scheme. Bournemouth Airport opened the new Bourne & Acre Bar and Kitchen near its main departure lounge this week, ahead of the Easter travel period. The 300-seat venue will offer passengers a contemporary menu including full English breakfasts, beef burgers, katsu curries and fish and chips, alongside a wide selection of wines, beers, cocktails and soft drinks.

The new restaurant offering follows the airport's announcement of a 10-year deal with travel food caterer the SSP Group last year. The deal forms part of a wider £60 million renovation project at the Dorset site, including upgrades to two existing food and drink outlets operated by SSP and the launch of 16 new routes with Jet2Holidays.

The SSP Group also operates bars and restaurants at Gatwick, Birmingham, Dublin and Newcastle airports.

Steve Gill, managing director of Bournemouth Airport, said: "The opening of Bourne & Acre is another important step in our ongoing transformation and a great addition to the passenger experience.

"Over the last 12 months, we've delivered a wide-ranging programme of improvements across the airport, including an expanded baggage reclaim hall with new, larger carousels, a brand-new immigration and arrivals hall, and a phased expansion of our main car park providing more than 800 additional spaces."

Mr Gill said the airport experienced its busiest summer on record in 2025, with passenger numbers rising by 28% to almost 1.1 million between April and October.

"It's important our facilities keep pace with demand," he added.

"Bourne & Acre is a key part of that, giving passengers a high-quality, locally inspired space to relax and dine before their flight."

Steve Buchanan, chief property and business development officer at SSP UK & Ireland, said: "The Bourne & Acre marks our first significant development to the food and beverage offer at Bournemouth Airport, delivering on our promise to transform passenger experiences with greater choice, value and quality."

The new restaurant is said to be inspired by the nearby River Bourne and Bournemouth Gardens, lending it a "distinctively local feel" and "strong sense of place".