New entrance and Costa Coffee for Countess of Chester Hospital

Compass Group UK & Ireland – Healthcare has struck a partnership deal with the Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. The 10-year agreement has brought a significant investment in the newly refurbished entrance, as well as opening a Costa Coffee store.

The Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust has over 400 inpatient beds and provides a full range of acute and a number of specialist services to residents in Chester and its surrounding areas, including Ellesmere Port, Neston and Flintshire. The Trust has over 5,000 staff.

The area has been created to offer an extended welcoming entrance to the hospital with a dedicated reception and ‘Changing Places’, a specially planned bathroom with disabled accesswith the partnership funding the development. A Costa Coffee has also launched in the space, offering visitors a taste of the high street with a range of food, such as paninis, sandwiches, cakes and fruit, alongside hot and cold drinks. This will also be available via Click & Collect in the Costa Coffee app, which will provide the opportunity for people to order and pay in the app before collecting in store.

Andy Jones, Managing Director, Healthcare Retail and Instore - Compass Group UK & Ireland, said: “It’s wonderful that we’re finally able to reveal the entrance and open our Costa on site. While the pandemic delayed the opening of this great space, it hasn’t dampened our enthusiasm or commitment to bringing a great retail offer to the Countess of Chester.”

Simon Holden, Director of Finance from the Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, commented: “This partnership has brought with it significant investment in our new entrance, which will enhance the experience for our patients and staff. It will also enable us to reinvest any additional financial benefits back into front line patient care. It’s great to get this off the ground, and we’re delighted with the results.”

The Costa Coffee store will follow enhanced Covid-19 safety measures for customers and team members, including extra cleaning and hygiene practices.