20 October 2011
A major project to refurbish the League of Friends Café and shop at the General Hospital has been completed and the new-look premises will be officially re-opened by the Deputy Bailiff, William Bailhache on Monday 24 October.
The work to give the League of Friends shop and café a fresh new look was undertaken by the Jersey Construction Council’s charity, the Brick Foundation, and the Health and Social Services Department and has provided a modern, up to date facility for both those who use it and the League of Friends volunteers.
The refurbishment was originally selected by the Jersey Construction Council (JeCC) as one of their chosen community projects and was been completed during this year’s Construction Week in September.
The new premises for the League of Friends remains on the ground floor of the Hospital, but has been relocated to the area where the florist was located by the Parade entrance. The shop and café are now a combined premises and, thanks to the new layout, room has also been created for much-needed storage space within the Hospital.
Throughout the League of Friends project, JeCC member businesses gave their services free of charge to keep costs down.
Lovely environment
League of Friends chairperson Jenny Bailhache said “The new premises with their new look are getting praise from our customers, and just as importantly, are a lovely environment for our hard working team of volunteers to work in. It makes sense to have both the shop and the café in the same place, and it is wonderful that we are still in our traditional location, which is well-known by so many Islanders who support the League of Friends, who, in turn support the Hospital and many projects with the money raised. We are always looking for volunteers who want to come and join the League of Friends.”
JeCC Vice Chairman David Morris said that the finished result at the League of Friends was a fantastic example of what could be achieved when the construction industry came together to support the community.
"I am really proud of the work that has been done here. As the main contractor, Style Shopfitting, brought together a fantastic team and everyone has worked hard to complete the project this week. We hope that the League of Friends volunteers and users of the hospital will enjoy the new surroundings," he said.
A big thank you
Hospital managing director Andrew McLaughlin said "The League of Friends makes an important contribution both financially and through volunteers to the life of the Hospital. They have made valuable donations over the years. We appreciate their dedication to their roles.
"They deserve a modern, bright location so that customers continue to be attracted to the café and the work of the Jersey Construction Council members has ensured that this is the case. We would like to say a big thank you to everyone who has been involved in this project," said Mr McLaughlin.
Carole Penfold of the League of Friends added "The project has been really exciting and has enormously improved the area that our volunteers are working in. The café and shop were showing their age having been opened over 20 years ago and we are very grateful to the Jersey Construction Council for undertaking this refurbishment."
The League of Friends and the JeCC would like to thank the following companies for their time and resources in completing this project:
- Style Group
- ATC & Son (Electrical Contractors) Ltd
- B. R. Biddle & Son Ltd
- Romerils
- B Scanlon Ltd
- Diamond Drilling & Cutting Specialists 2006 (JSY) Ltd
- Marett Floorcraft Ltd
- Exclusive Sealants Ltd
- Catex Hygienic Cladding Ltd
- Clean Guard Ltd
- Signtech Tubeolight
- Pentagon Builders Merchant
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