The operator of Goulburn Base Hospital's kiosk says he's gutted there's no provision for the same service in the upgraded facility.
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Ant Lewis says he's between a rock and a hard place when it comes to the future of his business, Lewy's. While it can still continue at its current site, what's on offer "is far from ideal" and not financially sustainable.
"We were devastated when taken into the new building and saw there was no room for a kiosk," he said.
"My heart sank and my daughter burst into tears. We thought it would be great moving into the new hospital."
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Mr Lewis bought the business three years ago as a an opportunity for his two daughters to further pursue hospitality. He does not work there, but daughter Kody manages it while wife, Debbie and another employee help out.
He understood the upgraded hospital would include space for a new kiosk and that he would have to tender for it, but said he was shocked to recently discover there was none.
The $165 million redevelopment will open by year's end. A Southern NSW Local Health District spokeswoman confirmed a new cafe was not included in the clinical services building.
"(However) the building will be future proofed so it can be incorporated at a later date if needed," she said.
Reports have swirled that Health Infrastructure had 'run out of money' for the new kiosk. But a spokeswoman told The Post in January, 2020 that the current kiosk in the old section would be retained with the addition of a coffee cart, complete with snacks, in the new clinical services building foyer.
As it turns out, the coffee cart and food van will be located outside, undercover between the old and new buildings.
"It will be outside the main entrance in a wind tunnel," Mr Lewis said.
"...It might be alright on the Central Coast where you have 20 plus degrees, but not in Goulburn. You can't expect people to come outside and eat."
Mr Lewis has been given first right of refusal on the coffee and food van but said its exterior location was a surprise.
In addition, he couldn't afford the expense for something he wasn't assured was permanent. Alternatively, if run by a competitor, it would "kill the kiosk business."
"I started work here when I was 16 and the possibility of having it ripped out is pretty hard to take," Kody Lewis said.
"...We will be left with the shell of a cafe."
Demolition of the old hospital entry and emergency section fronting Goldsmith Street, will soon begin. Internal access between the old and new buildings will be restricted for several weeks and people will have to walk outside to access the kiosk.
Mr Lewis said this posed further challenges for the kiosk and no health officials could answer his questions. He told The Post he'd been trying to get answers since reports about the foyer coffee van arose last year. They also discovered from a customer this week that their storage area would be demolished as part of work on the hospital's western aspect.
"We are feeling very gutted and so are all my staff," he said.
"The Health District has asked us what we want to do. We are still in negotiations but they are very slow in coming back to us."
Mr Lewis said it came down to a financial viability question for the business, which didn't have "huge profit margins." COVID restrictions had already impacted on the kiosk, which also relied on outside trade.
His contract ended in May and Lewy's has been placed on a month-by-month contract until if and when a new cafe in the clinical services building started.
It's far too little certainty for Mr Lewis. This week he took the matter to Goulburn MP Wendy Tuckerman. By this time, people had also vented their concerns on social media.
Mrs Tuckerman told The Post she was aware that negotiations between Health authorities and the operator were continuing. Asked whether she was trying to ensure a new kiosk was established in the clinical services building, Mrs Tuckerman said this depended on the outcome of talks with the current provider.
"At the end of the day I want the best solution for all concerned," she said.
Meantime, construction firm Hansen Yuncken has handed over keys for the new hospital. The Health District spokeswoman said staff orientation and training for the new facility was underway and maps were being drafted.
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Louise Thrower
If you have a story to tell, drop me a line at louise.thrower@austcommunitymedia.com.au or call 0418 229 678.
If you have a story to tell, drop me a line at louise.thrower@austcommunitymedia.com.au or call 0418 229 678.
