Over a thousand sign petition to save Hospital coffee shop
A campaign to save a charity coffee shop at Southend Hospital has received over a thousand signatures in its first day.
The coffee shop has been run by the WRVS for over 30 years, but was recently told that it is no longer required by the board that runs the hospital.
A private company, Gentian, has been selected to renovate the hospital’s outpatients’ department, with plans to implement improved waiting areas, additional shops and a new coffee shop design.
Hospital staff who have enjoyed the experience of the WRVS-run café for years have all put pen to paper. Patients have also voiced their support, and the petition is now some 18 pages long and will be delivered to hospital bosses in an effort to save the charity.
Barbara Pearce, 71, who has been a volunteer at the café for seven years, said: “I decided to volunteer at the hospital because I wanted to help out, and it is something interesting to do. So many people have come up to us to say how shocked they were when they heard the news. We have had so many different members of staff sign the petition to support us.”
The café, which is also connected to a bistro, has always donated all profits to the hospital, and over the years has helping considerably in buying new equipment at the hospital.
It is hoped that the size of the petition will cause hospital bosses to rethink their decision.