First airport Spuntino to open at Heathrow

Russell Norman and Richard Beatty's Spuntino brand will open its first airport site at Heathrow Terminal 3.

Spuntino signed an exclusive franchise partnership with TRG Concessions earlier this year to open the brand in UK airports, with the first set to open at Heathrow in December.

Spuntino, which means snack in Italian, serves small plates of Italian-influenced New York cuisine. The new Heathrow site will have its own airport breakfast and takeaway menus, as well as a brunch menu which will follow the same small plates theme as its existing site in London's Soho.

The new location will include a doughnut machine, staff on roller skates and a mural painted by artist Neal Fox. The restaurant will replace a closed WHSmith site at the airport.

Spuntino is part of the Polpo Restaurants group with managing director Scott Macdonald at the helm. The restaurants were founded by Richard Beatty and Russell Norman and the first Spuntino opened in Soho in 2011.

The group opened a second Spuntino in Bristol which closed in May after only a year, having closed three other sites in January: Polpos in Bristol and Exeter and the company's Ape & Bird in London's Shaftesbury Avenue, allowing the group to focus on its core Polpo sites, particularly in London, and expanding Spuntino in airports.

Macdonald said: "We are delighted to be bringing this cult restaurant to a new audience at Heathrow Terminal 3. Expect hearty breakfasts, legendary burgers, mac'n'cheese, roller skates and lots of doughnuts!"

Nick Ayerst, managing director of TRG Concessions, said: "After years of talks with the Spuntino team we are delighted to now be working on our first collaboration with them and Heathrow Airport."

Ben Crowley, head of food and beverage at Heathrow Airport, added: "We know our passengers want delicious, quality food that they can enjoy together or take away with them for an in-flight treat. Spuntino has all this and a unique dining experience, bringing the excitement of Soho to our international customers and leaving them with a lasting taste of London before they fly."

As well as Spuntino, Beatty and Norman's restaurants now include Polpos in Brighton and London's Chelsea, Covent Garden, Soho, Smithfield and Notting Hill.

Spuntino Bristol to close after only a year >>

Polpo founders to bring Spuntino brand to airports >>

Polpo boss announces plans to sell third site despite record-breaking results >>

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