East Midlands Airport passengers will be treated to a selection of new restaurants and shops in the departure lounge when work on a £2.5m revamp is completed next Easter.

The main change passengers will notice is the departure of Frankie & Benny’s which has occupied one of the largest airport units for many years.

It will be replaced with Terracotta Italian Kitchen, a restaurant already operating successfully at sister airport London Stansted and offering a modern take on Italian cuisine. With an open kitchen, bar and terraced area, Terracotta will be tastefully decorated to create a relaxing atmosphere that allows customers to feel they are already on holiday.

Another major change involves the closure of the Boots and InMotion stores, which will be replaced with an expanded unit occupied by a new WH Smith one-stop shop offering similar goods and services to the closed stores. This includes health and beauty products, audio equipment, books and food including meal deals.

Also the popular Pork & Pickle unit, which offers sandwiches, paninis, cakes and drinks close to many of the departure gates, is undergoing a refurbishment and a refresh of the menu. It will also be providing more Grab & Go options.

These changes follow a range of improvements as part of the £120m investment programme at the airport. In the departure lounge alone, this includes a refurbished Castle Rock Bar & Kitchen, the opening of new Mediterranean restaurant Alembic, a refurbished and expanded Escape Lounge, new lounge seating, new toilet and baby changing facilities, a new and larger JD Sports shop, a multi-faith prayer room and better wi-fi. Meanwhile the security hall has undergone a complete transformation and expansion, with a fresh modern look and fitted out with next-generation scanners.

East Midlands Airport’s Commercial Director Adam Andrews said: “We’re about halfway through our £120m five-year investment programme and have already seen some really significant improvements at the airport.

“Now we have more exciting changes taking place over the winter months in our departure lounge to bring a new shopping, eating and drinking experience at East Midlands Airport from next Easter. “