Affordability. Speed and access. Extended hours. Healthy options.
These were the top four priorities shared in the survey we ran asking staff and the public what was important to them in prospective food and retail outlets for the Louisa Martindale Building (LMB) at our Royal Sussex County Hospital site.
And it hasn’t gone unheard, as the 1700 responses helped to shape our brief for vendors when we started our search back in October 2022. Each shortlisted supplier was then reviewed and scored against a diverse range of criteria by a representative panel, looking at how their proposals delivered on your priorities as well as the supplier’s capability and experience, environmental impact, and investment in local communities.
The companies that best met the requirements were Peabodys Coffee, who will run a café on level 6 with a seated terrace area, in addition to a takeaway outlet on level 1. And WHSmith will provide retail services also on level 1 incorporating a food range from Marks & Spencer.
Behind the scenes, the spaces are in the final fit out and staff recruitment and training is underway in anticipation of the launch in June. We’ll share more on what you can expect from our incoming LMB caterers and retailer very soon.
In the meantime, find out more about the catering outlets at Royal Sussex County Hospital in advance of, and in addition to the LMB opening.