Exciting plans have been unveiled for a new restaurant and staff wellbeing area at Arrowe Park Hospital, thanks to a successful Globe-backed fundraising appeal last year.

The new development will be partly funded by the £150,000 that was raised through the WUTH Charity COVID-19 Support Fund, which was a joint appeal by Wirral University Teaching Hospital and the Wirral Globe.

The aim of the appeal, which was held during the height of the pandemic, was to raise funds for a project that would enhance wellbeing of staff, volunteers and patients at the Trust.

The project has been made possible thanks to the generosity of Globe readers, the public and staff who raised funds.

Victoria Burrows, WUTH Charity Head of Fundraising, said: “It is fantastic that we are finally able to unveil plans for how our appeal money will be spent.

“I’d like to say a big thank you to everyone who raised funds. The different ways that people managed to fundraise during the pandemic was phenomenal and we were delighted to be involved from a charity perspective."

The new restaurant and staff wellbeing areas will be a legacy for the Trust that will last many years and will benefit thousands of people.

Funding from NHS Charities Together national urgent COVID-19 appeal has also contributed towards the cost of the refurbishment.

Replacing the current Bowman’s Restaurant in the hospital, the new facility will be a modern coffee shop-style eatery with breakout areas for staff to have downtime and a contemporary outdoor pavement café area.

Victoria Burrows added: “Staff have worked so hard throughout the pandemic and it was important that we sought their feedback on how they would like to see the funds spent.

"This restaurant will be a real asset and that will benefit so many people. Being able to take some important break time during a busy day is hugely important to health and wellbeing. We are delighted that this new restaurant will help with that.

“I would like to say a huge thank you to the Wirral Globe for all their support in launching the local appeal and also the national NHS Charities Together for the funds donated.”

Work will start on the refurbishment on December 16, 2021 and will be completed by the end of April 2022.

During the pandemic the restaurant has been open to staff only while visiting restrictions have been in place. Alternative catering requirements have been set up while the work is underway.

The decision to revamp the restaurant came after staff were asked for feedback on how they would like to see the funds spent.