Inside Sunderland Eye Hospital's new cafe and coffee shop that's open to all
The coffee shop and cafe is open to all.
Overlooking Riverside Park and Sunderland’s ever-changing skyline on the banks of the Wear, the cafe and coffee shop at the new Eye Hospital is in a prime location - and it’s not just patients who get to enjoy its cuppas and jacket potatoes.
This month sees the services from the ageing Eye Infirmary in Queen Alexandra Road transfer into the new all-singing, all-dancing £50m Specialist Eye Hospital on the city centre’s Riverside development.
It’s a marked improvement facility wise and it means the team can also elevate its food and drink offering.
The cafes and coffee shops at both Sunderland Royal and the Eye Hospital are operated by the Royal Voluntary Service (RVS) and any profits are donated to the hospitals and its associated charities.
While you may not think to pop to Sunderland Royal just for a cuppa, the two new food and drink offerings at the Eye Hospital, which seat up to 90 people, are very much hoping the public will make the most of their fair prices.
.jpg?trim=0,0,0,0&crop=&width=640&quality=65)
Around £200,000 has been invested in creating a ground floor coffee shop and a first floor cafe opposite the outpatients reception.
Manager Debra Robson, who has worked for the RVS for 23 years, said: “This is such a beautiful space and so different to what we’ve had before.
“Not all departments have moved into the hospital yet, but we’ve had great feedback from the staff and patients who eaten here so far.
“We can offer a much bigger offering here in a much nicer setting. The Eye Infirmary always did have a nice feel and I think it’s even better here - we really want people who aren’t patients to use the facilities here, it doesn’t feel like you’re sat in a hospital.
“Looking out onto everything that’s changing on the old Vaux site, I don’t think you can’t get a better location.”
Price-wise, coffees start from £2.35 for an espresso, teas from £2.45 - with 20p off with a reusable cup - with matchas, hot chocolates and smoothies also on the drinks menu.
On the food menu, all day breakfast baps start from £4.50, pancake stacks from £3.25 and jacket potatoes from £3.85.
You can also pick up pastries, soups, pulled beef brisket chilli (£7.75), chargrilled chicken fillet burger (£6.95) and more.
There’s also daily meal deal specials, where you can pick up a meal and drink from £5.50.
How you can become a volunteer at the new cafe and coffee shop
Royal Voluntary Service is seeking volunteers to support the charity’s two brand new cafés in Sunderland Eye Hospital.
The Royal Voluntary Service cafés are located on both the hospital ground and first floor, and volunteers will support the smooth running of these welcoming spots, Monday to Friday each week.
More volunteers are needed to enable the team to prepare and serve up drinks, snacks, treats and smiles to as many patients, staff, and visitors in the hospital as possible.
Volunteers can choose shifts to fit around existing work, family or other commitments, and training will be provided by the charity.
RVS has a proud and longstanding history in Sunderland, with volunteers supporting local people since 1939.
Those interested in volunteering with the Sunderland Eye Hospital Royal Voluntary Service cafés can find out more: at royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk or GoVo.org.