SSP launches brew house and barbecue concept: Transport hub foodservice specialist SSP Group has opened a bespoke concept called The Spinning Jenny’s Brew House at Manchester Airport’s Terminal 2. With a design that captures the vibe of a classic German beer hall and the flair of Brooklyn, New York, the brand is inspired by Manchester’s industrial past and named after the famous spinning machine that transformed the textile industry in the 19th century. The menu features smokehouse cooking including 20-hour 8oz pulled pork burgers made from meat reared in Staffordshire, ‘proper’ pork scratchings and buckets of chicken wings. An impressive theatre-style kitchen features glass walls that allow diners to enjoy the skills of the BBQ chefs. To complement the food offer, there is a selection of cocktails including a Bloody Mary range. Beer pythons serve an array of craft and draught beers rising up from the cellar and dropping 14 metres to a long bar. Simon Smith, chief executive of SSP UK and Ireland, said: “We have enjoyed a successful working relationship with the team at Manchester Airport for over 20 years, and we’re delighted to be continuing this partnership with the opening of this outstanding new concept. In the time we’ve been operating here, the needs of the passenger at Manchester have evolved considerably. The Spinning Jenny’s Brew House has been designed to reflect the very latest trends in modern casual dining and will give customers an inspired and exciting new location in which to relax before their flight.”

Bluewater hosts Kent’s leading food hall in pop-up: Bluewater, the retail and leisure destination, is hosting Kent-based Macknade Fine Foods in a six week pop-up launched in conjunction with Visit Kent and Produced in Kent. The pop-up is the first in an initiative entitled Best of Kent, through which Bluewater will be supporting a variety of businesses from the county. Macknade, which was recently named the Best Local Retailer 2015 at the Taste of Kent awards, opened its 1,700 sq ft pop-up on the lower Rose Gallery and will be in residence at Bluewater until 9 May. The brand is the South East’s leading food hall, built on a 170-year history of food, farming and retailing in Faversham. It stocks over 120 suppliers from Kent, with produce including cheese, groceries and beverages. As well as selling products, its Bluewater pop-up is hosting tasting sessions. Robert Goodman, Bluewater’s General Manager, said: “Macknade Fine Foods’ Best of Kent pop-up is another example of our focus on providing something different for guests on every visit. The store adds to the overall Bluewater experience and has been very popular with our guests already. As importantly, we are delighted to be showcasing such a great local business, providing them with high visibility at such a popular time of the year at Bluewater.” Stefano Cuomo, owner and founder of Macknade, added: “This is a great opportunity for us to bring our brand to such a large number of people from throughout the region. Bluewater’s guests have really embraced the pop-up and sales to date are far in excess of our expectations.”