The Mount Charles Group, the largest independent provider of catering, cleaning, and facilities management in Northern Ireland, has unveiled a £1 million investment to overhaul its hospitality services at Belfast International Airport.

This significant upgrade is part of the wider transformation programme currently being undertaken by the airport, which is a member of the VINCI Airports network.

The project focuses on the total redesign of the existing Northern Quarter. Moving away from the conventional food court setup, the area will be reborn as a premium, high-end restaurant and bar. The new venue will feature seating for 180 guests and will be supported by a dedicated coffee dock launched in partnership with Bewley's.

This expansion will have a significant impact on local employment. Mount Charles currently maintains a team of 40 at the airport's Northern Quarter, but this figure is expected to double to 80 staff members once the new site is fully operational by Spring 2026.

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Gavin Annon, Chief Strategy Officer at Mount Charles, noted that the investment highlights a partnership with the airport that has spanned more than two decades. He stated: "This £1 million investment is a tangible commitment to Belfast International Airport and to the people who deliver the Northern Quarter experience every day. We're investing in the physical environment – the fit-out and re-design – and in the labour and training required to deliver a premium, hospitality-led offer.

"We're proud to be creating new, local employment opportunities in the Northern Quarter while supporting local contractors and suppliers who are helping to deliver this transformative upgrade for passengers."

The initiative aligns with the airport's broader £100 million redevelopment strategy. Kate Sherry, Chief Commercial Officer at Belfast International Airport, added: "Mount Charles has been a trusted partner for two decades and this investment in the Northern Quarter forms an integral part of our £100m airport transformation programme. The new offering will deliver an enhanced, higher-quality food and beverage experience for travellers, while creating valuable local employment."

The newly imagined Northern Quarter is scheduled to open its doors to the public in Spring 2026.