‘The only place offering non-fast food’ at a hospital in Manchester could be forced to close as it has been ‘asked to leave’ by facility management, says its owner. Have a Banana is a whole foods shop at maternity and women’s centre, Saint Mary’s Hospital, but the shop's creator claims it is being ejected by the owners of the unit, Sodexo.
After six years trading, Have a Banana’s customers were devastated to hear the news and medics have launched a petition to stop the closure of the shop. The petition has already received more than 4,000 signatures in just over a week.
The hospital trust and Sodexo have invited the shop to create a proposal on why it should stay, the Manchester Evening News understands.
“We have some terribly sad news to share,” tweeted Have a Banana last week. “We recently found out that our little shop in Saint Mary’s Hospital belongs to Sodexo and they've decided that they want it back.
“As such we will be without a trading unit in the hospital and will have to close down. We've been told we can apply to work outside, though it's not guaranteed that it will be granted but we know from experience this won't work with our Manchester climate.
“Luckily we paid our rent up to the end of the financial year so we have a few months left to keep your vitamin levels up and to get all our lovely customers through the worst of the winter.”
Manchester vascular surgeon Naseer Ahmad tweeted: “I can not believe Have a Banana whole foods is having to leave its spot outside Saint Mary’s. I mean, what’s wrong with having a banana?
“Let’s help Nick and save our little hospital fruit and veg shop by signing the petition.”
Obstetrician Dr Teresa Kelly added: “No way! We can’t do without you!” A biomedical scientist said: “No! This is a great place for staff and patients!”
Have a Banana has been trading on Oxford Road for six years, first setting up shop in the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital. During the pandemic, the business moved outside the hospital to keep patients and staff safe, and to provide an option beyond supermarkets.
But then the weather turned in September 2020, and Have a Banana was offered a place inside Saint Mary’s. Over the course of the next two years, the shop ‘expanded their offer of produce’, taking on stock suggestions from medics and patients.
Now, Have a Banana’s owner says that they have the spot until the end of the year, but after that they might have to leave if their lease is not renewed.
“We’re a fruit and veg shop that is loved so much,” owner Mike Austin said. “We’re in a maternity hospital with fresh options for people who might be making new choices about how they want to eat.
“There’s women coming in when they’re pregnant for the first time and might need an increased vitamin intake. Staff come in their scrubs, in between surgeries, they come down for a chat when things are getting on top of them.
“If patients are having a tough time, they’ll come to talk as well, we can often be the first non-medical face they’ve seen that day.
“We close at 6pm and quite often they come running down at 6.20pm and we’ll always open for them again. They’re doing their job, they need support, we’ll always serve them.
“We probably lose money every Saturday we’re open but it’s vital we’re there. We’re not just selling fruit and veg, we’re more than just a shop.”
Have a Banana has been offered a spot outside or back in the children’s hospital, says Mike. Both are ‘not viable’ because of the weather and because of how the business has grown, he added, leaving him feeling he might be forced out.
‘We want to keep doing what we do, this is the most sensible place to do it’, says the owner.
“I know the hospital inside out, during the pandemic we delivered 200 fruit boxes a week to all the different wards. I know there isn’t anywhere else,” Mike continued.
“It’s nice to feel all the love coming in from customers.”
A Sodexo spokesperson said: “We recognise how popular the Have a Banana shop is with patients, staff and visitors. Currently, Sodexo and Manchester University NHS Trust are discussing future retail opportunities with the store operator for when their lease expires in March 2023.
“We are awaiting their proposal before collectively agreeing next steps."
The hospital's website says: "There are many places to eat within close walking distance to Saint Mary’s Hospital. The ‘moment to eat restaurant’ in the Eye Hospital Atrium is open 24 hours a day.
The restaurant area in the children’s hospital is a short walk away offering a wide range of food:
- A breakfast and lunch counter serving traditional favourites
- New self-help salad bar with extended choice and selection
- New grab and go area designed specifically for customers ‘on the go’
- Additional snack counter offering a wide range of snacks; and
- A full high street Subway
"Alternatively, there are Costa Coffee outlets in the Manchester Royal Infirmary and the Children’s Hospital and a Marks and Spencer Simply Food can be found outside the entrance of the eye hospital. A Starbucks Coffee can also be found in the atrium of Saint Mary’s Hospital.
"Fruit and vegetable stands are located in the Eye Hospital atrium and Children’s Hospital entrance Monday to Friday."
An Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, which runs the hospital, spokesperson said: “Staff, patients and visitors really like Have A Banana, and we’ve asked the store operator to give us a proposal to stay on-site after the lease ends in March 2023. Have A Banana have been at our Oxford Road Campus for years, firstly at the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital then moving to Saint Mary’s Hospital.
"Our estates team had positive discussions last week with the store operator, who committed to meeting service standards. We’re looking forward to receiving his proposal so that we can take a partnership approach to finding the way forward.”
Head here to see the Have a Banana petition.
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