Take a peak(y) inside SSP’s new bar and kitchen at Birmingham Airport

Passengers flying from Birmingham Airport can now sample the Shelbys first hand and dine Peaky Blinders-style following the unveiling of an exclusive Shelby & Co. Bar and Kitchen from SSP Group.

The bar is the first of its kind for the Peaky Blinders franchise in a travel location and will be a key part of Birmingham’s departure lounge with space for 290 diners.

Set against a backdrop of dark wood and atmospheric lighting, customers step out of the airport and into an authentic Peaky Blinders experience. The restaurant offers both waiter service as well as an order at table technology, allowing customers short on time to dine quickly.

In keeping with the era of the popular show, the bar displays the 1920s throughout its design and offers an extensive food and drinks menu that showcases local breweries and gins, providing an authentic taste of Birmingham. The bar and kitchen has something for everyone whether they’re looking for breakfast, brunch, or a beer. Start your day with Billy’s Breakfast Bap or a Blinder Benedict while the all-day offering includes Finn’s Fish & Chips, The Tommy Burger and The Piggy Blinder toad in the hole wrap. There are also bespoke cocktails such as gin-based The Garrison and the Birmingham Sour.

“Over the past 12 months, one of our key focus areas has been expanding our bespoke airport bar and restaurant concepts,” said Cathy Granby, Business Development Director for SSP UK & Ireland, which already operates five outlets at Birmingham Airport. “Shelby & Co. really does bring this hugely popular show to life. What better way to celebrate all this city has to offer than bringing a flavour of Peaky Blinders to Birmingham Airport.”

The deal for global rights in travel environments was brokered by SSP and Banijay Rights, the global distribution arm of content powerhouse Banijay Entertainment. David Christopher, Director of Licensing and Merchandising, Banijay Rights, said: "To expand the beloved Peaky Blinders world to Birmingham Airport – Banijay’s first official travel venue licensee – is a huge privilege for us. This partnership enables fans and customers to have a deeply immersive ‘Peaky’ experience as they pass through one of the UK’s most important travel hubs.”

Commenting on the opening, Richard Gill, Commercial Director of Birmingham Airport, said: “We are delighted to be the first airport to welcome Shelby & Co. This bespoke, innovative bar and restaurant is a fantastic addition to our departure lounge, ensuring our passengers have a unique chance to sample Shelby’s first hand when travelling through Birmingham Airport.”

The multi-award-winning Peaky Blinders was created and written by Steven Knight (SAS Rogue Heroes, Taboo, See, Great Expectations). Distributed by Banijay Rights, it has sold in more than 183 countries and is widely available internationally on Netflix including in the USA.