New shops and restaurant unveiled as Teesside Airport refit is FINISHED

The terminal building was yesterday unveiled to the public for the first time after undergoing a multi-million pound redevelopment.

The refit, which has been months in the making, coincided with the arrival of the airport's very first Ryanair flight in more than a decade.

Read more: Meet the holidaymakers who set off on the FIRST Ryanair flight from Teesside in 10 years 

As part of the redevelopment, the check-in desks, security area and the departure areas have all been completely overhauled.

Two new luxury lounges, The Middleton Lounge and Rockliffe Lounge, have been added as well as a number of food and drink outlets.

The publicly named, Goosepool bar has opened, while the Transporter Bar and Kitchen has renovated the airport's former, and only, eatery.

Meanwhile, a brand new cafe - The Landside Cafe - has opened in the check-in area to anyone from the public. 

Although not open just yet, the World Duty Free is set to takeover the huge retail space on the airside part of the building - while two Darlington firms have joined forces.

Darlington firms Rejoy and House of Zana have opened a joint-venture shop in the departure lounge selling local boutique and beauty products.

The Northern Echo had a look around the finished terminal, and met some of the people working in the airport who described what the first day in action was like.

The airport's check in area has been completely overhauled with previously closed-off areas now reopened to the public Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT

A dedicated check-in area for Ryanair passengers has also opened to coincide with the new summer schedule Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT

Millions have been spent on the refit, which has seen whole areas of the terminal refurbished Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT

The Landside Cafe, which is open to the public, has been built opposite Fairs Lloyds Travel Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT

The Landside Cafe has opened in the formerly-closed off section of the airport terminal Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT

Previously closed off, dozens more seats have been added to the newly-renovated departure lounge Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT

The Transporter bar and kitchen has opened in addition to The Goosepoole, which is a few metres away Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT

The departure lounge where the gates to the aircraft are has also seen a refit, with new screens added for privacy Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT

The brand new Middleton Lounge, which is aimed at families and offers a range of food and drink Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT

The Goosepool's Vicky Ellison, left, and Kayleigh Barker Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT

Named after a public poll, The Goosepool pub has opened serving a mix of food and drink Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT

But working in the bar are to familiar names, Vicky Ellison and Kayleigh Barker who were among the original staff at the airport.

Ms Barker, who recent returned after finishing her university course, said: "We were among the original staff - the airport has been transformed, it's amazing."

The airport has increased its operational gates from two to five - this includes the gate that has been reserved for Ryanair Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT

Amber Kotrii of House of Zana, left, Erin Harper of Rejoy , who have opened a joint-venture shop in the airport terminal Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT

Erin Harper of Rejoy, said reaction from customer on her first day of trade had been positive Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT

Meanwhile the airport has brought in a number of new retailers including Erin Harper, who runs Darlington-firm Rejoy.

Ms Harper said: "The reaction from customers has been fantastic, and I think when people find out there are local brands, it just add that bit of difference to the airport."

The gates have been designed to showcase the aircraft arriving to the airport Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT

The terminal also features a PRM gate, which is a gate dedicated for those with reduced mobility Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT

Following the refit, the Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said the airport in its previous state was no longer "fit for purpose" as he said it appeared dated.

Following the refit, he said: "It simply wasn’t fit for purpose to process the hundreds of thousands of new passengers we’re working to attract as part of our ten-year turnaround plan.

“With a little bit of TLC and backing from our brilliant local businesses who have secured work on-site to help make our vision a reality, I’m delighted to be able to reveal the new-look Teesside Airport.

“This goes beyond just a facelift, giving it a new lease of life, with modernised check-in and security reducing stress and waiting times, and cafe, bars, lounges and shops making your full travel experience better than ever."

Read more: Meet the holidaymakers who set off on the FIRST Ryanair flight from Teesside in 10 years 

Mr Houchen added that the new look ensured an impressive and "first-class" welcome for businesses and tourists from far-and-wide.