Manchester Airport’s Terminal 2 is now home to a groundbreaking market hall – the first of its kind – bringing travellers a fresh, modern mix of food, drink, and retail under one roof.
Manchester Airport will welcome the hotly anticipated arrival of Great Northern Market, a landmark new food hall, opening in Terminal 2 on Tuesday 3rd February.
Part of a wider £1.2bn transformation project in the airport, the market hall launches on the ground level of the departure lounge and is set to redefine what travellers expect from airport dining.
Great Northern Market is part of Airport Retail Enterprises, who operate multiple food brands across UK airports, with the market its first site in Manchester.
John & Hayley Butts Directors at Airport Retail Enterprises, said: “We are thrilled to be finally opening our doors and bringing this exciting new street-food style concept to Manchester Airport. Great Northern Market will provide all the benefits of a market hall environment – variety, quality, value and a lively, social atmosphere – on a scale not previously seen in UK airports.”
More than just a food destination, the market captures the buzzing creativity of the Northern street-food scene. Bringing together six diverse, flavour-led kitchens in a lively, social space, offering premium food without the fuss of formal dining.
With over 470 covers, Great Northern Market is Manchester Airport’s largest food and beverage destination to date, offering something for every taste, budget, and moment, whether grabbing food on the go or settling in before your flight.
Through bold interiors, beautifully crafted kitchens, and the hum of the open space, Great Northern Market reflects the energy of the city itself. To help capture and bring this vision to life, Great Northern Market partnered with Sheffield-based visual artist Marcus Method, whose influence can be felt throughout. From initial creative exploration and ideas, the bright and vibrant impressive full-wall mural was hand painted by Marcus himself over a number of weeks. His artwork can also be felt throughout other brand touchpoints from menus to the digital experience.
Meet the kitchens
At the heart of Great Northern Market are six street food style kitchens, each offering its own distinct identity and flavour:
- Nashville Hot House – bringing the fiery flavours of the American South, with crispy buttermilk chicken and signature Nashville hot sauce.
- Black Iron Grill – a haven for burger lovers, specialising in juicy smash burgers and loaded sides.
- Kouzina – a fresh, Greek-inspired menu delivering Mediterranean flavours with a taste of the Aegean.
- Palms Café – aromatic and full of flavour, serving Asian-inspired dishes packed with depth and spice.
- La Casita – a vibrant Mexican kitchen offering a fiesta of bold, zesty flavours in every bite.
- Napoli Street Pizza – authentic Neapolitan sourdough pizzas, crafted to perfection.
The line-up also includes recognisable local names such as Gooey, the Manchester favourite bakery, who will also be at the market with cookies and donuts.
The people behind the food
Behind the scenes, Great Northern Market is powered by a community of Northern talent. All menus have been crafted by Manchester-born Executive Chef Amy Tomkinson, who has worked closely with creative partners from across the region to bring real flavour and authenticity to every single dish.
Collaborations include Merseyside-born Chef Sam Grainger, a rising star of the UK Culinary scene, who helped shape the zesty La Casita menu, alongside the team behind Yard & Coop, whose influence can be tasted in the bold flavours of Nashville Hot House.
Designed for a stress-free journey
At Great Northern Market, everything is designed to make airport dining easy and stress-free. All ordering takes place at the table, allowing guests to settle in, relax, and enjoy great food without the queues or rushing around, all while being looked after by the fantastic team.
About Great Northern Market:
Great Northern Market opens its doors on Tuesday 3rd February 2026. Great Northern Market can be located at Manchester Airport, downstairs in Terminal 2 departure lounge.
Great Northern Market is family to Airport Retail Enterprises UK (ARE) a privately-owned, family-run airport Food & Beverage specialist.
Their portfolio includes bespoke own brands, licensed franchises, and partnerships. In the UK, operating in 12 sites, ranging from pubs and casual dining to fast food and grab & go concepts at Heathrow, Luton, Gatwick, Edinburgh and now welcomed to Manchester airport, with their first market hall opening.
Although their geographic focus has evolved, the dedication to their core values remains strong. Their mission is to provide exceptional dining experiences with delicious food, beautiful settings, and excellent service. They aim to reflect a sense of place at each airport, partnering with brands that share their vision and values.
At ARE, people are central – whether it’s their customers, team, or partners. They strive to build a sustainable business that offers unmatched experiences while nurturing these vital relationships.
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