The Charters Restaurant at the Royal Preston Hospital has undergone a makeover.
Led by FWP, the new-look refurbished restaurant is now open to staff and members of the public after a grand opening performed by Kevin McGee, chief executive of Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
And the space includes a bespoke mural designed by local artist, David Robinson from DaveRob Design, who was commissioned to create a striking montage of the city’s landmarks, famous people, and characters.
The artwork was endorsed by Preston-born Nick Park, who gave permission to include one of his most-famous creations, Wallace and Gromit, as a thank you to NHS staff for their efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The refreshed space, which has seating for around 230 people, also connects directly to a new garden area which includes a beautifully-hand-crafted steel memorial tree where names of those who have donated organs will be engraved onto leaves.
David Simmons, FWP senior associate who led on the project, said: “We have given a fresh new look to what was a much used but tired space.
“The Charters Restaurant plays an important role in the hospital as its main restaurant and café area and the refurbishment has created a clean and bright eating and meeting place that is both modern and spacious and very far removed from the traditional hospital ‘canteen’ feel.
The facility has seating for 230 people
A talking point
“The Preston montage that has been created is a great feature and will be a fantastic talking point for visitors. And the new garden adds to the light and open feel of the restaurant, with its striking memorial tree another focal point for visitors and staff alike.”
Many of the improvements have been made possible through funding of £70,000 from Lancashire Teaching Hospitals Charity team and a £65,000 grant application from NHS Charities Together, which enabled the procurement of furnishings and a new 24-hour kitchenette facility.
The Charters Restaurant plays an important role in the hospital as its main restaurant and café area and the refurbishment has created a clean and bright eating and meeting place that is both modern and spacious and very far removed from the traditional hospital ‘canteen’ feel
A further £4,900 was used to provide new conservatory blinds and the iconic mural.
D&G Builders and Joiners, based in Chorley, carried out the construction work on the project and the furniture was provided by Manchester-based Telegraph Contract Furniture, with the artwork printed and fitted by Preston-based specialist, Lustalux.
A mural by local artist, David Robinson, was commissioned, depicting famous faces and landmarks from the city
Famous faces
The restaurant’s mural includes some of Preston’s most-famous faces and landmarks, with depictions of Preston North End legend, Sir Tom Finney; the Guild Wheel; and the iconic clock at the Brutalist Preston Bus Station – showing the time set at 20:00 as a mark of respect to colleagues, signifying when the ‘Clap for Carers’ took place during the pandemic.
Robinson said: “As a proud Prestonian, it was an absolute honour to collaborate with FWP and Lancashire Teaching Hospitals Charity on the artwork.
“Preston has so many iconic elements from its past and present and the hardest part of the project was deciding what to put into the illustration, and what to leave out.”
Emma Turner, managing director of D&G Builders and Joiners, added: “We are delighted to have been able to help renovate the Charters Restaurant and give hard-working staff a comfortable new space to take time out, particularly in the year of the NHS’s 75th birthday.
“It is nice to give back to the trust after what they did for everyone during the pandemic and continue to do for the community.”
- Companies:
- Lancashire Teaching Hospitals
- The Frank Whittle Partnership
- Lustalux
- D and G Builders and Joiners
