SSP, Starbucks, and Heathrow have launched the UK's busiest Starbucks store at Terminal 5. The new location features 50 seats and nine coffee machines, capable of serving hundreds of travelers every hour as they head to their gates.
The coffee shop, situated in the airside departures area of Terminal 5, was officially opened just in time for the peak summer travel season. The ribbon-cutting ceremony was attended by SSP Group CEO Patrick Coveney, UK and Ireland CEO Kari Daniels, Starbucks EMEA President Duncan Moir, and Heathrow Retail Director Fraser Brown. The store is designed with two separate counters to efficiently serve busy travelers, whether they order at the till or in advance via their phones.
“This new store at Terminal 5 is our flagship Starbucks at the country’s flagship airport,” said Kari Daniels, CEO of SSP UK & Ireland. “We know how important it is for our customers to be served promptly – especially when they have a flight to catch. The customer journey and efficiency are at the heart of our operations, and we’ve made sure that the design of this new store allows for quick and easy service for passengers on the go. We’ve also ensured the store is future proofed to manage growing customer numbers into the future.”
Duncan Moir, Starbucks EMEA President, said: “We are delighted to welcome passengers and staff to our new store in Heathrow. The UK remains a key market for Starbucks and this opening marks another important step in our growth and investment plans, in partnership with our long-standing licensees, including SSP. We are focused on meeting our customers where they are, bringing the iconic Starbucks Experience to more people right across the UK, whether that’s in the heart of local communities, or offering a vital rest stop while travelling.”
This store opening builds on SSP and Starbucks' 17-year-long partnership. The first joint store opened at Heathrow in 2012, and SSP now operates four stores across the terminals. This new store at Terminal 5 highlights their shared commitment to meeting customers where they are and features innovative designs and formats. Meanwhile, Heathrow anticipates breaking more records this summer, with an estimated 30 million passengers traveling through its terminals. This forecast follows a record-breaking 81.5 million passengers served in the 12 months leading up to May.
Inspired by the natural landscapes of coffee-growing regions, the new store is designed to provide an immersive experience centered around a centrally-positioned bar. The layered, curved ceiling mimics the mountainous terrain of coffee farms and is enhanced by a natural color scheme. Clear walkways guide passengers through the store efficiently, whether they are ordering to take away or to enjoy their coffee in-store.
Fraser Brown, Retail Director at Heathrow, said: “Heathrow is proud to launch Terminal 5’s newest Starbucks location, designed with passengers in mind. In partnership with SSP and Starbucks, we have created an innovative dining experience to suit each passenger’s journey through the airport. As a record 30 million passengers are set to travel through Heathrow this summer, this latest launch demonstrates the success of our retail strategy and Heathrow’s commitment to making every journey better.”
Embracing the spirit of summer, passengers are invited to enjoy Starbucks' summer menu and is now available at Starbucks stores nationwide. This menu features new offerings such as the Iced White Mocha with Strawberry Cream Cold Foam, Iced Caramel Latte with Crème Brulée Cream Cold Foam, Pink Coconut Starbucks Refresha® drink with Matcha Cream Cold Foam, Cold Brew with Cookies and Cream Cold Foam, and Iced White Chocolate Pistachio Oat Shaken Espresso. Starbucks® UK proudly offers a broad range of dairy alternative options at no additional cost.
