Bake Off’s Candice Brown pulls a pint at Luton airport after admitting she had just £416 in the bank after pub struggle
CANDICE Brown was spotted pulling pints at Luton airport yesterday – to celebrate the airport’s 85th anniversary.
The Great British Bake Off winner, 38, served up the first pint of brewed beer specially created to mark the moment.
It comes after a very difficult few years which has seen Candice suffering a heartbreaking split from her husband, been diagnosed with ADHD and her pub business devastated by the pandemic.
At the height of lockdown, Candice told how she had just £416 left in her business account.
But she has turned her life around and looked happier than ever as she poured a glass of ‘Lift Off 85’, crafted by The Big Smoke Brew Co, which is exclusively available in London Luton Airport’s (LLA) departure lounge to mark 85 years of operation.
The baking extraordinaire also made an impressive birthday cake which has been designed to replicate the iconic features of the airport.
Measuring almost 30cm high, the three-tier Victoria Sponge birthday cake – filled with apricot jam, fresh strawberries and vanilla Swiss meringue buttercream – featured LLA’s logo in fondant, a runway running across the cake, and a plane on standby.
Commenting on the occasion, Candice said: “Raising a glass of ‘Lift Off 85’ with passengers is a celebratory moment and a heartfelt gesture from the owner of one local establishment to another.
“It wouldn’t be a birthday without cake, and I hope I’ve captured the essence of the airport in every delicious bite.
“It’s been an honour to join the team for the celebrations and commemorate the airport’s illustrious past while looking forward to an even brighter future – cheers to 85 years of excellence and many more to come.”
From its humble beginnings as a municipal aerodrome in 1938, LLA served as a base for the Royal Air Force during the Second World War.
After the war, the airport returned to commercial use and, by the 1960s, was playing a key role in the thriving package holiday business.
Now established as one of the UK’s leading and busiest airports, LLA currently supports around 27,000 jobs and flies to over 140 destinations across Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
It is currently undergoing a £20 million refurbishment of the airport’s security hall that will provide an enhanced passenger experience to ensure a simpler journey.
Clare Armstrong, head of guest experience at London Luton Airport, said: “It was wonderful to welcome Candice to London Luton Airport as part of our 85th birthday celebrations.
“Her infectious enthusiasm mirrors our own pride in the airport’s continued achievements and our excitement for what lies ahead.
“Over the last 12 months alone, we have seen the airport receive a historic visit from the King, as well as the transformational launch of the DART shuttle service and Luton Airport Express.
“Our 85th birthday represents the latest memorable milestone in the airport’s remarkable history and our unwavering commitment to delivering a simple, friendly passenger experience over the exciting years ahead.”
Passengers flying from the airport can ‘cheers to 85 years’ at the Big Smoke Taphouse & Kitchen in the airport’s departure lounge with ‘Lift Off 85’ from Wednesday 19th July.