Stall-holders selling fruit and veg at Staffordshire's biggest hospital have reportedly been told to leave their pitches.
The stalls have been in place at the entrance to the Royal Stoke University Hospital since April, and have apparently proved a hit with patients, visitors and staff, the Stoke Sentinel reports.
But according to the Sentinel, traders have been left 'stunned' after being told they must stop trading by Wednesday (30 September). The move also reportedly affects stalls at Stafford's County Hospital. It is understood 12 workers will lose their jobs.
Trader Scott Burbidge-Smith, who has a stall at the Royal Stoke, told the local newspaper: 'Everyone always says what a great example it sets to have fresh and healthy fruit and vegetables for patients and staff to buy. It encourages a healthy lifestyle and we have a lot of regular customers.
'We have had so much good feedback, so when I found out we had to stop trading I was gutted.'
The stalls are open at the Royal Stoke from 7am to 6pm Monday to Saturday, and at the County Hospital from 7am to 5.30pm Monday to Friday.
Stalls co-ordinator Karl Butlin told the Sentinel: 'These stalls have done so much good. We loved the nurses who came to us as well – they work such long hours and to give them something back was a great feeling. I've seen many of them crying since they heard the news of us having to move on.'
Patient Christine Cartlidge, aged 66, of Fenton, who regularly visits the stalls, said: 'The fruit and vegetables are absolutely beautiful. My twin brother Christopher even comes all the way from Cheddleton to buy fruit for his family because it really is that good. With all the talk about healthy eating this feels like a slap in the face for the traders.'
According to the Sentinel, hospital bosses claimed that the fruit and veg stalls only operated as a pilot project, and noted that the scheme will end on September 30 before being reviewed.
In a letter sent to Butlin seen by the Sentinel, NHS property manager Austin Malone, said: 'The pilot will cease at the end of September for it to be assessed and reviewed by the corporate services division. The last day of trading will be September 30. I would like to thank you for your contribution to this pilot scheme.'
