We recently shared with you how the survey feedback from staff and patients last year, has helped to shape the food and retail outlets coming to our newest Louisa Martindale hospital building (LMB) at the Royal Sussex County site.
The vendors we have chosen that best meet our needs, and yours, are Peabodys Coffee, who will run the café on level 6 and takeaway outlet on level 1, and WHSmith who will provide retail services on level 1 incorporating a food range from Marks & Spencer.
So, what exactly can you expect from our new LMB coffee and catering offerings?
An independent provider with strong experience in healthcare environments, Peabodys takes pride in its organic and fairtrade barista coffee and freshly prepared food ranges using healthy and sustainable ingredients. It also has a strong environmental ethos, which particularly impressed us and aligned with our Patient First, Planet First green plan aims.
The Peabodys café will offer hot and cold drinks, grab and go products including pre-packed salads, fruit pots and sandwiches, as well as fresh pasta and pizza cooked to order.
The takeaway outlet will also serve hot drinks and cold drinks including smoothies, juices and iced tea, sandwiches, paninis, salads and a range of tasty snacks.
And there are a range of exciting benefits you can take advantage of, from staff discount to reusable cup and meat-free Monday discounts. There are also affordable meal options for less than £5, loyalty schemes, and a 50% end of day discount to combat food waste.
Speaking about the opening, Claudia Mascino, Director said: “Peabodys is passionate about bringing delicious coffee and food into healthcare settings using fresh, healthy and sustainable ingredients. We have eight outlets operating at some of the UK’s busiest hospitals, and we can’t wait to get started at UHSussex.”
Opening hours and dates
The extended opening times were agreed in response to the feedback we received about wanting more out of hours provisions.
Opening hours for café and takeaway: 7am to 8pm, Monday-Sunday
The takeaway unit will open on the 10th July. The café will open later in the summer.
WHSmith and M&S Hybrid Store
Within this hybrid store, there will be ‘food for now’ and ‘food for later’ items, which will include meal deals, sandwiches, chilled snacks and drinks, and an M&S ready meal range that can be enjoyed in staff rooms/rest areas for convenience.
To reduce queuing times, there will be self-service checkouts as well as a staffed till. WHSmith will also be using the Too Good to Go app to sell soon to expire food, with ‘magic bags’ available towards the end of the day at a heavily reduced price to offer a great value proposition, while also reducing the amount of stock being wasted.
Speaking about the new store, David Roberts, Head of Business Development at WHSmith, said: “We are delighted to be able to continue our longstanding partnership with the Trust in the Louisa Martindale Building. Our new store will offer customers the quality of M&S food ranges alongside all the essentials they can expect to find in WHSmith, combining convenience with an extensive choice of products and great service. We are looking forward to welcoming staff, patients and visitors to the new store.”
Opening hours
The opening times once again support the feedback we received about wanting more out of hours provisions, including weekends. Please make use of the facilities during these times, helping to ensure the extended hours are maintained.
Opening hours: 7am to 8.30pm Monday-Friday and 8am-7pm Saturday-Sunday.
We can’t wait to see everyone enjoying the new offerings from 15 June when the store opens, but in the meantime, you can find out more about the catering outlets at Royal Sussex County Hospital in advance of, and in addition to the LMB opening.