Croydon Health Services pays £24k to get Burger King out of hospital
AN NHS trust made a £24,000 payment to kick Burger King out of Croydon University Hospital.
For 14-years the fast-food outlet was the first thing patients saw when they entered the hospital's main reception – contradicting healthy eating advice which warns people away from fatty foods.
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There is no longer a Burger King at Croydon University Hospital, previously known as Mayday
The outlet – one of the burger chain's busiest in the UK – was finally removed at the end of last year and replaced with Costa Coffee as part of a £56,000 new-look entrance area.
Croydon Health Services (CHS), the trust which runs the hospital previously known as Mayday, said the "world had changed" since the original contract was signed in 1997, and that it had responded in kind.
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But the Advertiser can reveal hospital bosses paid a hefty price to remove Burger King.
Figures, obtained under Freedom of Information Act, show the trust paid £24,000 to Compass UK, the company operating the fast-food franchise, to cover the cost of terminating the contract.
The trust said none of money had gone to Burger King itself.
CHS is in the process of axing 200 jobs and closing four wards as it looks to save £34.7 million over the next three years.
It hopes the cost of evicting Burger King will be met by the revenue from a pharmacy which it plans to open in the last remaining retail space.
Croydon North MP Malcolm Wicks welcomed its removal.
He said: "From the first time I saw the wretched burger joint, I was upset about it.
"Advertising and selling fast food, which is generally unhealthy, really grates with what a modern hospital is about.
"I've badgered successive chief executives about getting rid of the thing, so I wouldn't criticise the hospital for finally taking the right decision, though the costs are substantial."
Folake Segun, from Croydon Shadow Health Watch, an independent group representing patients, said: "Hopefully the trust will take the opportunity to properly consult with the community before bringing in such companies in the future."
The franchise agreement, signed in 1997, was between the hospital's landlord, Heathcroft Properties, and Compass UK.
CHS chief executive Nick Hulme said the trust has never had contractual control over the what is placed in the main entrance.
He added: "We made a business decision to invest in this change which will give our patients and visitors a better service."
Comments
by nickname_why
Sunday, January 15 2012, 12:45PM
“Ivor, I think all that LA was inferring is that you find English hard to understand. It is you who inferred that she works at the hospital.”
by tbabygib
Friday, January 13 2012, 2:43PM
“Me Too, When ever im there, The food and portions are just right and tasty.....YUM !”
by LAFANTASTICA
Friday, January 13 2012, 2:28PM
“I thoroughly recommend the food.”
by msbloggs
Friday, January 13 2012, 2:22PM
“Thanks for letting us all know we can eat in the staff cafe. :)”
by LAFANTASTICA
Friday, January 13 2012, 2:03PM
“Thanks for the info about llamas! : -)”
by Ivor_Shed
Friday, January 13 2012, 1:53PM
“LA - now I understand - I thought maybe you were infering that you had a part time STAFF job in the hospital which entitled you to eat in the STAFF restaurant. Now you have told us that patients can eat in the STAFF restaurant I can see why you mentioned it. As you say "Many people are completely unaware that they can eat and have coffee on the first floor, because it is not advertised"
If I hadn't made my comment and elicited your response they would all still be unaware wouldn't they? Now the readers all know they can eat 'upstairs' I hope you are still able to find a seat on your next visit.
I believe my command of English is quite satisfactory, and if things written here need have no point then I would like to add that llamas are bigger than frogs.”
by LAFANTASTICA
Friday, January 13 2012, 12:48PM
“I wasn't aware that there had to be a specific point. I presume you find English hard to understand. No need for you to make *****y comments, though. I attend the hospital every 6 to 8 weeks and my Outpatient appointment finishes around lunchtime. I would go downstairs and find nothing but junk food. I later discovered that the staff restaurant upstairs is open to staff and patients. There is a hot food counter, a soup counter and a salad one, all reasonably priced, so I started eating there. There is also a coffee area, and their "espressos" are cheaper than the ones served by Costa's downstairs. Many people are completely unaware that they can eat and have coffee on the first floor, because it is not advertised. In any case, a lot of the patients have been brought up in homes where junk food is the norm, and so that is what they eat. I am at liberty to state all this, whether you, in particular, feel that there is no point in my doing this. Thank you and goodbye. Now go and insult someone else.”
by Green_System
Friday, January 13 2012, 12:43PM
“I don't know what's more outrageous, the fact that they paid so much money, which should obviously have gone on better things, or the fact that they allowed a Burger King in a hospital in the first place!”
by Ivor_Shed
Friday, January 13 2012, 12:33PM
“LA - and your point is?”
by LAFANTASTICA
Friday, January 13 2012, 12:21PM
“Excellent news. I always have lunch in the staff restaurant upstairs.”