A Drink With a View: British Airways i360 in Brighton Announces the Nyetimber Sky Bar

Nyetimber, producer of England's finest sparkling wine, is today announced as the naming partner of the Sky Bar on British Airways i360.

The Nyetimber Sky Bar is set to become the most unique bar in the UK, located inside British Airways i360's aerodynamically designed glass pod. Customers will glide slowly up to 138m for 360-degree views of Sussex while enjoying a glass of Nyetimber's Classic Cuvee sparkling wine and other drinks from the South Downs region.

British Airways i360 is currently under construction on Brighton beach and will be the world's tallest moving observation tower when it opens this summer. It is conceived and designed by Marks Barfield Architects, creators of the London Eye.

Nyetimber's award-winning English sparkling wine, which is produced in West Sussex, will also be available in the attraction's 400-seat restaurant the Belle Vue.

British Airways i360 CEO Eleanor Harris said: “Our vision for British Airways i360 is to serve the region's best food and drink and to showcase this on an international stage to our visitors. We are proud to partner with Nyetimber, which is a world-class sparkling wine produced in a Sussex vineyard overlooking the South Downs.

“We know our customers will be just as excited about our partnership with Nyetimber as we are. English sparkling wine is increasingly recognised as being just as good as French champagne - the chalk soil in the Sussex Downs region is similar to the chalk found in the Champagne region, and our climate is remarkably similar. In fact, French experts recently chose Nyetimber above a Grand Cru champagne during a blind taste challenge.”

Nyetimber head winemaker Cherie Spriggs said: “We are delighted to be entering into a partnership with British Airways i360. Like our award-winning English sparkling wine, this exciting new addition to Sussex will no doubt be celebrated on a national and international level. A glass of Nyetimber will be the perfect accompaniment to the stunning views from the British Airways i360 observation pod.”

MasterChef: The Professionals Winner Steven Edwards will be creating signature dishes at British Airways i360 with business partner Josh Stanzl; working with catering firm Heritage Portfolio.

Edwards said: “Nyetimber is the most prestigious English sparkling wine and perfectly complements our goal of showcasing the very best local food and drink.”

Visitors to British Airways i360 will also be able to toast the 360-degree views of Sussex with other locally sourced drinks – Harvey's ale and Wobblegate juices will also be served in the Nyetimber Sky Bar and in the Belle Vue restaurant.

Harvey's Brewery recently won the Good Pub Guide: Brewery of the Year 2016 award and Wobblegate won Drink Producer of the Year at the Sussex Food and Drink Awards in 2015; underlining British Airways i360's commitment to working with the very best Sussex producers.

Harvey's Brewery sales and marketing manager Bob Trimm said: “Harvey's Brewery is delighted to be on board as the official real ale supplier to British Airways i360. We are proud to be associated with such an iconic attraction and hope that many customers will enjoy a pint of Sussex Best by the sea.”

British Airways i360 filed an application for a new premises license to Brighton and Hove City Council on Friday 29 April.

Image caption (please credit British Airways i360):

British Airways i360 and Nyetimber 02.jpg: left to right – British Airways i360 chief executive Eleanor Harris, Josh Stanzl, Steven Edwards, Nyetimber head winemaker Cherie Spriggs