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An illuminating memento of Monarch Airlines

An illuminating memento of Monarch Airlines

With work starting to extensively modernise and refurbish Monarch Airlines’ former headquarters at Luton Airport, ex-pilots of the collapsed airline have sought an illuminating memento.

Captains Andy Lancefield and Andy Baldwin have been presented with the Monarch logos that graced the front of the building on Percival Way, having contacted the building’s new owner – Northampton based developer Hampton Brook - enquiring as to the future of the illuminating signs.

Ian Jackson, Development Director of Hampton Brook, said:

“Having received this surprise request we were happy to oblige and gave instructions to our contractor Warwick Burt to ensure the signs were carefully removed from the building.”

Receiving the Monarch crowns, Captain Andy Lancefield said:

“Both myself and Andy worked for Monarch as pilots for over 20 years until its unfortunate demise and thought it would be fitting to preserve a piece of its history.  At the time of asking, I hadn’t mentioned to my wife that I could be the future recipient of the sign but thought it would be easier to ask for forgiveness than permission!!!

“I have a few ideas on where the sign will go but ultimately it is nice to be able to preserve a little bit of the ‘Old Spotty M’ as we were known.”

Hampton Brook is pushing ahead with its significant investment of over £3 million into refurbishing the 36,000 sq ft headquarters building that was constructed for the former airline in the 1990s.  As part of the works, it has revealed the cabin trainer that was routinely used by pilots and cabin crew for evacuation training, as well as door training and passenger announcements, would be removed.

Captain Andy Lancefield, added:

“Seeing the cabin trainer emerge from the side of the building brought back memories of smoke filled cabin searches and emergency exit training with the inflatable slide; subsequently banned after a couple of broken limbs - thankfully not mine.”

Once building works have been completed, the property - now named Infinity House - will deliver Grade A accommodation in suites from 11,500 sq ft.  The quality of the refurbished accommodation will deliver excellent energy efficient features, together with a substantial car parking allocation of over 200 vehicles and electric car charging points. 

Luton Airport has announced plans to invest over £1.5 billion at the airport, the fifth largest and fastest growing airport in the UK, by increasing flight destinations and passenger numbers from 18 million to 36-38 million per year.  In addition, construction has now commenced on DART (Direct Air Rail Transit) making the connection from Luton Airport Parkway Station to the terminal in around five minutes when completed in 2021.

It is hoped that a high calibre occupier will be keen to take advantage of both the sustainable features the building has to offer and the wider transport improvements taking place at the Airport.  Strong interest in the building has already been shown to date and further information on the leasehold opportunities are available through the appointed letting agent Kirkby Diamond.

Further information on opportunities within the Hampton Brook portfolio can be viewed at www.hamptonbrook.com


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