Airport sector to get a lift

Granada Food Services has moved the airport catering operations of Welcome Break into its retail catering division, raising the division's annual turnover from £35m to £60m.

Welcome Break was acquired by Granada as part of its takeover of Forte, but Granada must sell the 26 motorway service areas to avoid contravening Monopolies and Mergers Commission rules. However, the airport side of the business is immune from these considerations.

Welcome Break's airport business comprises outlets at Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Glasgow and Birmingham International, while Granada Retail's operations include catering units on P&O ferries, a coffee shop at Heathrow and units at two shopping villages.

Alastair Storey, managing director of Granada Food Services, said the airport business was a logical fit with Granada Retail. "It gives us credibility and experience that we shall leverage to gain market share," he added.